§ 44. Mr. BENNETTasked the Minister of Health whether he has issued an order that in future optical benefits may only be granted on the certificate of the panel practitioner and after sight-testing by a medical man; and, seeing that the general medical practitioner knows little or nothing of sight-testing, will he say whether he has received any representations on the subject from qualified opticians?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe new model scheme for the provision of opthalmic benefit by Approved Societies as an additional benefit contains a provision to the effect that, except in the case of repair or renewal of optical appliances, an applicant for the benefit must have obtained and furnished his society with a written recommendation from a medical practitioner. I have received representations on the subject both from bodies representing opticians and in the opposite sense from representatives of the medical profession, including opthalmic specialists and these representations have had due consideration.
§ Mr. MACKINDERIs not the Minister aware that there are many men specially trained as opticians who have much more knowledge and experience of the eye than the average panel doctor?