§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of providing free prescriptions and free dental treatment to policemen, firemen and members of the armed services and their families.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyEmployment in these services confers no automatic exemption from NHS charges. Such personnel and their families pay prescription or dental charges if they use NHS facilities, unless they qualify for exemption under the NHS regulations by virtue of their age or other personal circumstances. The terms and costs of repayment schemes operated by the services themselves are matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.