26. Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive a report from the Joint Optical Production Committee on the subject of increasing the supply of spectacles.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Woodburn)My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I do not expect to receive formal reports from this Committee. It has under constant review all aspects of production, and will continue to stimulate output until an adequate supply of spectacles is available.
27. Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is able to make any statement upon the introduction of a priority scheme for the supply of spectacles in urgent cases.
§ Mr. WoodburnI am trying to arrange that opticians will give priority to urgent cases.
Lieut.-Commander HutchisonWould the Secretary of State circulate that information because there are serious delays under the present arrangements?
§ Mr. WoodburnAs the hon. and gallant Gentleman will be aware, a large number of people who have been waiting probably for years for spectacles are now coming all at once, and it is impossible to expand production to meet their requirements.
§ Mr. WoodburnAny foreigner resident in this country is entitled to the services of the National Health Service, but I would require notice of the question as to whether he can get spectacles.