§ 60. Mr. Wakefieldasked the President of the Board of Education the number of ophthalmic surgeons, now and pre-war, employed in school clinics; and the number of medical officers or assistant medical officers employed on eye-work in these clinics without the full qualifications of an ophthalmic surgeon and who have not even obtained one of the recognised diplomas in ophthalmology.
§ The President of the Board of Education (Mr. Butler)In 1938 the number of ophthalmic surgeons employed by local education authorities in the School Medical Service was 418. Comparable figures for the war years are not available but I have no reason to think that the number has fallen materially. Two hundred and twenty-six school medical officers and assistant school medical officers were also employed by local education authorities on eye-work in 1938, but the records do not show how many of them possessed specialist qualifications. Before the Board approve the employment of a school medical officer on eye-work they satisfy themselves that he possesses adequate qualifications and experience.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesMay I take it that all school children are covered by ophthalmic surgeons?
§ Mr. ButlerI cannot give such a sweeping generalisation as that, but we try to do eye-work in the schools in the best way we can in present circumstances.