§ 32. Mr. Orbachasked the Minister of Health whether he will supply lenses free of charge to schoolchildren, where a special type of frame is chosen as an alternative to the standard types of frames.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Patricia Hornsby-Smith)The National Health Service Act, 1951, does not give my right hon. Friend power to do this.
§ Mr. OrbachDoes not the hon. Lady think it a little unreasonable that people who for special reasons use a particular type of frame other than the steel frame should be asked to pay more than 10s. per lens? Is she not appreciative of the fact that it is quite possible for these people to choose the frame given under the National Health Service Act and then to go to a local optician and, for a few shillings, obtain another frame without paying for the lenses?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithWhen the hon. Member refers to steel frames, he should bear in mind that the frames provided for children under this service are brown and flesh coloured. They are by no means unattractive and have been chosen for their durability.