HC Deb 26 January 1937 vol 319 cc763-5
79. Captain Macnamara

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the anxiety among opticians of the country at the new draft regulations concerning the payment of their services for ophthalmic treatment; and whether he will give an assurance that their position will be regularised in the new regulations, so that there will be no doubt about the legality of their claim for service fees in the future?

Mr. R. S. Hudson

There has never been any intention of depriving opticians

who received Poor Law relief in the administrative county of Durham and the county boroughs of Sunderland, Gateshead, and South Shields, respectively, each year from 1931 to 1936; and the amount of expenditure for this purpose by those authorities during the same periods?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

As the answer contains a number of figures in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

of a fee for services rendered by them in connection with the supply of glasses to insured persons, but my right hon. Friend is aware that some doubt has been expressed as to the position under the proposed Regulations. The matter is receiving the careful consideration of my right hon. Friend and of the Secretary of State for Scotland, and if they are satisfied that some modification of the wording of the draft Regulations is required in order to legalise the payment of such a fee, the necessary modification will be embodied in the substantive Regulations.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Does that mean that the draft regulations already drafted are to be modified to meet this new demand?

Mr. Hudson

I have said that some persons have raised doubt whether the draft regulations do carry out our express intention. We are taking steps to verify that, and if we find that they need modification they will be modified.

Mr. Jagger

Is it intended to protect this right for payment for services?

Mr. Hudson

I have said that there was never any intention to deprive anyone of their fee for services.

Mr. H. G. Williams

Is this for service or for the supply of glasses, which is not quite the same point?

Mr. Hudson

Perhaps the hon. Member had better read my reply.

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