HC Deb 28 June 1938 vol 337 cc1721-3

Chairman: Sir Robert Young, O.B.E., M.P.

Approved Society Representatives:

National Conference of Friendly Societies: Mr. S. L. Duff, C.B.E., Mr. H. W. Townley.

National Conference of Industrial Assurance Approved Societies: Mr. C. G. Izard, Mr. J. S. Pike.

National Federation of Rural Approved Societies: Mr. G. C. Bowers.

National Association of Trade Union Approved Societies: Mr. G. W. Canter.

National Federation of Employees

Approved Societies: Mr. H. Lesser.

Association of Deposit Societies: Mr. C. Tuckfield.

National Federation of Dividing Societies: Mr. F. G. Harris.

National Union of Holloway Friendly Societies: Mr. P. Rockliff.

Scottish Association of Friendly and Approved Societies: Mr. T. William Wallace.

Association of Welsh Approved Societies: Mr. J. G. Lewis.

Chairman of the Approved Societies Consultative Council for England and Wales: Mr. C. A. Bamford.

Chairman of the Scottish Approved Societies Consultative Council: Mr. J. Webster.

Optical Representatives:

Joint Council of Qualified Opticians: Mr. W. B. Barker (British Optical Association).

Major W. H. Champness (Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers).

Mr. G. E. Houghton (Institute of Ophthalmic Opticians).

Mr. J. H. Hayes (Joint Council of Qualified Opticians).

Mr. T. J. H. Young (Optician Resident in Scotland).

Mr. P. Randell (Optician Resident in Wales).

National Association of Opticians: Mr. L. Moreton Parry.

Institute of Chemist-Opticians: Mr. J. J. Laws.

Ophthalmic Supplies Limited: Mr. J. W. Bowen.

Association of Dispensing Opticians, Limited: Mr. J. R. Howard.

Scottish Association of Opticians: Mr. D. L. Veitch.

Association of Wholesale and Manufacturing Opticians: Mr. E. T. Cornwell, Mr. F. H. Wheway.

Unattached Opticians: Mr. I. G. Aitchison.

79. Major Macnamara

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Messrs. Jameson and Company, who make spectacle frames, were required by the technical sub-committee of the ophthalmic benefit committee, whose subcommittee's seven members include three competitors of Messrs. Jameson and Company, to submit, under the new regulations, their spectacle frames to a test by a competitor of Messrs. Jameson and Company; that the latter refused, but suggested an independent test by a Government Department, which was refused; and whether he will intervene to protect the interests of small manufacturers, allow the independent test, and grant Messrs. Jameson and Company a continuation of their licence beyond 3oth June until the matter is settled?

Mr. Bernays

My right hon. Friend is in communication with the Ophthalmic Benefit Approved Committee in this matter and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result. My right hon. Friend is hopeful that the committee will now be able to find some way of arranging for a test by an authority to which Messrs. Jameson's could not take exception.

80. Major Macnamara

asked the Minister of Health why his Department has neither asknowledged nor replied to a letter of 4th June, and a subsequent telegram, from Messrs. Jameson and Company, a firm who have been manufacturing spectacle frames for some time?

Mr. Bernays

My right hon. Friend regrets that owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding the communications to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, instead of being dealt with by his Department, were forwarded to the Ophthalmic Benefit Approved Committee. A reply has now been sent to Messrs. Jameson.

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