§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate how many persons over 16 years, and under pensionable age, are liable to pay prescription charges; and if he will estimate this as a percentage of the population in these age groups.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkePeople in the age ranges specified may qualify for exemption if:
- they are in receipt of supplementary benefit, family income supplement or housing benefit supplement or are the partner or dependant of someone who is; or
- they qualify on low income grounds or are the partner or dependant of someone who does; or
- they are pregnant or have had a baby within the preceding 12 months; or
- they are war pensioners (where the exemption covers items prescribed for the accepted disablement only); or
- they suffer from a medical condition included in a limited list of conditions leading to exemption.
In addition, contraceptive substances and appliances are supplied without charge.
There is no reliable way of estimating the proportion of the population which might at any given time be entitled to exemption under these arrangements.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the real increase in prescription charges after allowing for inflation in the years 1979 to 1984 for each category of Health Service charges.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.