HC Deb 09 June 1982 vol 25 cc125-6W
Mr. Craigen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to arrange with relevant Departments that certificates of exemption on grounds of low income are sent to students along with their grant so as to ensure that those who are eligible for free optical and dental treatment are fully aware of their entitlement.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Young people under 19 and still in full-time education are automatically entitled to free dental treatment, free children's glasses and, for 16 to 18-year-olds, remission of charges for NHS lenses where these are dispensed in a private frame. Information about this, and about the help available to patients on low incomes, for which older students can apply, is contained in leaflets made widely available through post offices, local social security offices, citizens advice bureaux, community health councils, practitioners and hospitals.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

[pursuant to his reply, 27 May 1982, c. 352]: The information requested is given in the following table. The world prices figures are generally the third country offer prices used by the Commission to determine rates of levy applicable on the dates concerned. I must emphasise that they do not accurately represent the prices at which the Community could buy from the world market if more supplies from third countries were bought, and are therefore largely notional.

I am not aware of any particular problems in making these young people aware of their possible entitlement, but the Department regularly reviews its publicity for these and other benefits.