§ 78. Major Macnamaraasked the Minister of Health why the Ophthalmic Benefit Approved Committee, which is a statutory committee, do not give their names to bona fide persons who have to appear before them or have to have dealigns with them; and whether he will state their names to the House?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernays)My right hon. Friend is not aware that the Ophthalmic Benefit Approved Committee have declined or would decline to give the names of the members to any persons with whom they have official relations. The committee consists of 14 representatives of approved societies and an equal number of opticians, with the hon. Member for the Newton division of Lancaster (Sir R. Young) as chairman. There are also two official observers with no voting power, one from the Ministry of Health and one from the Department of Health for Scotland. With my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will give the names of the members of the committee in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following are the names: