§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if his Department will estimate the cost of abolishing national health service charges and transferring the net burden to national insurance; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what would be the cost of extending exemption from national health service charges to persons in receipt of housing benefit; and if he will do so;
(3) what would be the cost of extending exemption from national health service charges to all those eligible for 80 per cent. community charge relief; and if he will make it his policy to do so;
(4) what would be the cost of extending exemption from national health service charges to all pensioners; and if he will do so;
(5) what would be the cost of extending exemption from national health service charges to all aged under 19 years who remain in full-time education; and if he will make it his policy to do so;
(6) what would be the cost of extending exemption from national health service charges to all those on long-term sickness or in receipt of invalidity benefit; and if he will make it his policy to do so.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI will write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will consider a review of its system of benefits which assist payment of national health service charges for treatment with a view to greater simplification and accessibility; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 6 June at columns300–01.
As that reply made clear, the review of the administration of the low income scheme will be wide ranging. The procedures for claiming help under the scheme will be an important part of the review.