§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total annual amount of money paid to claimants by way of health benefits; and how much was paid in each area of entitlement.
§ Dr. Mawhinney[holding answer 14 January 1994]: Holders of low income scheme charge remission certificates are entitled to receive national health services free or at a reduced cost as and when these are needed during the currency of a certificate; they do not receive a specified financial award. Certificate holders may also be entitled to refunds of travelling expenses incurred when attending hospital for national health service treatment and, within strict time limits, to refunds of charges paid before they claimed help from the low income scheme. Information about expenditure on these refunds is not collected centrally.