HC Deb 18 June 1991 vol 193 c150W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will simplify the application form for low income health benefits;

(2) if he will extend the validity of a prescription charges exemption certificate to 12 months;

(3) if he will extend to 12 months the time limit during which a refund may be obtained for health charges;

(4) if he will include the recipients of low income health benefits in the class eligible for refunds on spectacles.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Members for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) and for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 6 June at columns300–1.

As my reply made clear, the review of the NHS low income scheme which is now under way will examine all aspects of the administration of the scheme and this will include optical refunds.