§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the circumstances in which the social fund or any other benefits can be used to purchase services from the national health service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottSocial fund payments for medical items are specifically excluded from the scope of the fund. People in receipt of other social security benefits are free to choose how they wish to spend their money. Income support or family credit recipients are entitled to free prescriptions, optical tests and dental treatment.
The provision of NHS services is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what policy he follows in exercising his discretion 401W to round benefit rates up or down under section 63(5) of the Social Security Act 1986; and what exceptions have occurred to that policy since 1986.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe rounding rules of all benefits are reviewed annually as part of the uprating exercise. No established practice exists which would pre-empt our discretion in this matter.