HC Deb 13 July 1955 vol 543 cc1929-30
40 and 41. Dr. King

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the percentage of blind persons in Gibraltar;

(2) the number of attendances at the ophthalmic out-patients' clinic in Gibraltar in 1954.

Mr. Hopkinson

The total registered blind population of Gibraltar is 115 persons, which is equivalent to less than a rate of 500 per 100,000.

The number of attendances at the ophthalmic out-patients' clinic in 1954 was 22,842.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that, according to Dr. Cass, an ophthalmic surgeon in Gibraltar, the figure for blindness there is about five times that which obtains in this country, and that that makes the work which the Department has been doing for civilians in combating eye disease extremely important?

Mr. Hopkinson

The rate is in fact rather more than twice the United Kingdom rate, which is 205 per 100,000, and is a great deal lower than that in many other Mediterranean countries. The arrangements which have now been made will, I believe, entirely take care of the position in Gibraltar in relation to numbers.