To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to review the list of exemptions from prescription charges; [66066](2) what plans he has to review the operation of exemptions from prescription charges; and if he will make a statement. [66067]

[holding answer 26 January 1999]: The current prescription charge exemption arrangements were reviewed as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. Following the Review, all current prescription charge exemptions will be protected for the rest of the Parliament and existing patient charges will rise by no more than the rate of inflation over the next three years.