HC Deb 19 June 1997 vol 296 c293W
Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy on NHS prescription charges for pensioners. [3834]

Mr. Milburn

We will be examining the question of prescription charges as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. The Government remains committed to the historic principle of the National Health Service that health services will be available to all and access will be based on need, not on ability to pay.