Debates between Lord Beamish and Gerald Howarth during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Coeliac Disease and Prescriptions

Debate between Lord Beamish and Gerald Howarth
Tuesday 1st November 2016

(8 years ago)

Westminster Hall
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Lord Beamish Portrait Mr Jones
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My hon. Friend raises an interesting point. There is evidence—including from my own family—that gluten intolerance and coeliac disease run in families. If a young family includes several children with this condition, the cost could be significant.

Gerald Howarth Portrait Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con)
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To reinforce the point, my constituent Sheryl Rees has drawn my attention to the fact that her son was diagnosed with coeliac disease when he was two. He is now 11. She pointed out the cost of gluten-free items. For example, a small loaf is £3. A pizza is £4. Pasta is £2 a pack. Basically, she is paying double. She has a family of six. This is really impacting on her family’s budget.

Lord Beamish Portrait Mr Jones
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The hon. Gentleman raises an interesting point, especially in terms of families with children. There is also a question of availability in some rural areas. Larger supermarkets stock some of these products at the prices he mentioned and higher, but in other areas the products are not available.