HC Deb 17 June 1937 vol 325 cc544-5
31. Mr. Day

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many children have been provided with spectacles in England and Wales under the arrangements made by the education authorities for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; whether all local education authorities have the services of a qualified and experienced oculist; and at what periods are children's eyes reexamined?

Mr. Lindsay

During the year 1936, 166,257 children attending public elementary schools in England and Wales were provided with spectacles under arrangements made by local education authorities. With the exception of the authority for the Isles of Scilly, all local education authorities have arrangements for the treatment of defective vision by a qualified medical practitioner who has had special experience in ophthalmic work. All children in whom any defect of vision has been found are re-examined from time to time, but the interval between the examinations depends on the nature and extent of the defect.

Mr. Day

Can the hon. Member say whether provision is being made for children to have new glasses as and when required?

Mr. Lindsay

That is another point.

Mr. Macquisten

Is not one of the causes of bad sight the fact that school books are printed in too small type, and that this causes myopia?