HC Deb 04 February 1957 vol 564 cc2-3
13. Mr. Randall

asked the Minister of Health if he has had his attention drawn to the indiscriminate sale of spectacles; and whether he has yet referred the matter to the Central Health Services Council for consideration.

Mr. Vosper

My attention has been drawn to this practice. The difficulty is to find reliable evidence of harm resulting from it, but if evidence comes to hand I will gladly refer it to the Standing Ophthalmic Advisory Committee, and the Central Health Services Council.

Mr. Randall

Does the Minister agree that, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, there is a very real danger in this widespread practice? That being so, is there not a case for an inquiry?

Mr. Vosper

I appreciate that point, but at the moment it is extremely difficult to get evidence of harm resulting. It would be a little difficult for the Ophthalmic Advisory Committee or the Central Health Services Council to come to a decision without further evidence.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Would not the Minister agree that the simplest way out of the difficulty would be to adopt the Labour Party policy and abolish the charges altogether?