HC Deb 20 October 1949 vol 468 cc750-2
40. Sir John Mellor

asked the Minister of Health what is the current average lapse of time between testing eyesight and provision of spectacles under the National Health Service.

72. Mr. David Grenfell

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of applicants for optical glasses on the waiting lists all over the United Kingdom on 1st September, 1949; the number who have been waiting for over six months on that date; and whether he will state the number of applications during the years ending 1st September, 1948 and 1949, respectively.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)

I regret that information is not available in the precise form requested, but about 3 million pairs of spectacles were on order on 1st September, 1949. There are still delays in supply of anything up to six months or so, but by no means all cases take as long as that and better supplies are improving the position steadily. The number of spectacles ordered in the two years ended 1st September, 1948, and 1949 were, respectively, 4.5 millions and 9.9 millions.

Sir J. Mellor

Is the Minister aware that I have sent to his Department a number of cases in which the interval was over nine months and in some cases over 12 months, and where the lenses required were not of an unusual type? Does he consider that such a delay is either necessary or justified?

Mr. Bevan

There is, of course, considerable variation in the amount of delay involved in individual cases. I know, for example, of cases where spectacles have been forthcoming in a few weeks. All that I can say is that the amount of delay is rapidly decreasing, the supply is now in excess of the demand, and we are now eating into the arrears.

Mr. Harrison

While recognising that there must inevitably be some delay, has my right hon. Friend made any progress in the universal establishment of a system of priority for the provision of spectacles when urgently needed?

Mr. Bevan

As I have explained before to the House, it is extremely difficult to have a system of priorities which would not actually clutter up the whole system. The opticians have been asked to give consideration always to urgent cases, and in many cases they have done so.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Walter Smiles

Can the Minister inform the House of the percentage of spectacle lenses exported?

Mr. Bevan

So far as I know, there may be some prestige exports, but actually over 3 million pairs of lenses have been imported.

Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth

Can the Minister say how many pairs of spectacles were supplied during the two years to which he has referred?

Mr. Bevan

Not without notice.