To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of those with a diagnosis of asthma were exempt from paying prescription charges in the latest period for which figures are available. (316964)

The Department does not hold information on the numbers of patients prescribed particular drugs or for what conditions those drugs are prescribed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the age at which men are entitled to free prescriptions will rise in line with the increase in the state retirement age for women; and if he will make a statement. (317925)

The age at which people qualify for free prescriptions will change to reflect changes to the state pension age for women. We are considering how best to implement those changes and will not be introducing any changes to age exemptions in April 2010.