Letter: Back to basics

It SEEMS that, according to your report (16 October), our southern neighbours are up in arms because the Scottish Government has had the courage to implement one of the original aims of the National Health Service, namely that care would be paid for through taxation and supplied free at the point of use.

The introduction of prescription charges - at a rate of one shilling per prescription form - saw the resignations of ministers such as Aneurin Bevan (the "father of the NHS") and Harold Wilson because they saw a charge for drugs as a betrayal of the founding principles of the health service.

I would have thought that, compared to the huge amount of wealth accruing to the Exchequer from the Scottish sector of the North Sea, providing essential drugs free of change and, thereby reducing potential working days lost through sickness, would be a drop in the ocean. Or sea.

BARRY LEES

Denholm Street

Greenock