§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether, in assessing entitlement to free prescriptions on the grounds of low income, account is taken of any charges for a home help; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether, in assessing entitlement to free prescriptions on the grounds of low income, account is taken of telephone rental payments by people who need a telephone because of their disability; and if he will make a statement;
(3) whether, in assessing entitlement to free prescriptions on the grounds of low income account is taken of eligibility for additional payments, for example heating, had the individual been on supplementary benefit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffey FinsbergAssessments for exemption from payment of prescription charges broadly follow 237W supplementary benefit procedures. These take into account extra heating needs in certain circumstances, but make no provision for telephone charges or local authority home helps in view of the local authorities' power to meet such expenses. Provision can, however, be made for private domestic assistance in certain circumstances.