§ 48. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Minister of Health whether, in accordance with the terms of his recent letter to the Joint Emergency Committee of the Optical Profession on National Health Service lenses in non-National Health Service frames, persons up to and including the age of 15 years may now be supplied with frames outside the standard range specified in Part III, Section A, and 563 Part IV, Section A, of the Minister's directive, E.C.N. 102; and what charges are applicable.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThis would be within the terms of my right hon. Friend's recent letter, but he trusts that parents will select suitable sturdy spectacle frames for their children, and that opticians will encourage them to do so. The charges for frames supplied privately would depend on private contract.
§ Mr. MallalieuIs this not an alteration of the Act since, under the Schedule, children were formerly only allowed to be supplied with frames under Part IIIA, and two frames under Part IVA?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThere was some doubt about that, and therefore, executive councils have been invited, on the ground that the regulations were in some doubt, not to take action against opticians who did so supply frames. It is not illegal to supply children with adult types of National Health Service frames under the regulations.
§ Mr. MallalieuIf there is some doubt about this, surely the Minister should not attempt to alter the Act merely by means of a letter.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithHe has not altered the Statute. He has given what is regarded as a better interpretation.