§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to allow those on means-tested benefit to continue to receive the(a) free prescriptions and (b) other supplementary benefits available to those on income support. [33647]
§ Mr. MilburnThe Department is responsible for prescription charges and welfare foods. Prescription charges and entitlement to welfare foods are both elements of the Department's Comprehensive Spending Review, which will be completed by the summer. We remain 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.
The Department has no information about other benefits which may be available to recipients of Income Support which are the responsibility of other government departments.