§ Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the rise in prescription charges from 20 pence per item to £1 since May 1979, he will not make any further addition for those in medical need in April 1982.
§ Dr. Vaughan:As announced in the White Paper, "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1981–82 to 1983–84"—command 8175—prescription charges will increase annually in line with costs and present expenditure plans assume that the charges will be increased in April 1982 and annually thereafter. There are no plans to alter the wide ranging exemption arrangements under which over 68 per cent. of all prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and a further 6 per cent. to the holders of "season tickets".
270WMr. Knox asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to change the categories of people at present exempt from paying prescription charges.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:We have no plans to change the wide ranging exemption arrangements under which over 68 per cent. of all prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and a further 6 per cent. to the holders of "season tickets".