Arising out of what the Minister said in his second last reply, in view of the level of usage of prescriptions under the GMS, would the Minister consider introducing a basic charge for prescriptions of say 50p or £1?

That is a separate question.

It arises directly out of the Minister's reply. He may have thoughts on the subject which he might like to let us in on.

I do not like the idea of charging people 50p or £1, particularly persons on low incomes. They would still be convinced that by paying 50p or £1 they would be getting something which would do something for them. A great deal of the dispensation of drugs is unnecessary.