asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost to public funds of exempting all persons over 60 years of age not in full-time work from National Health Service charges.

About £7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will take steps to exempt dependants of persons in receipt of National Insurance pensions from existing National Health Service charges;(2) if he will take steps to exempt all persons in receipt of National Insurance pensions from existing National Health Service charges.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 24th November.—[Vol. 807, c. 72.]