HC Deb 15 February 1960 vol 617 cc956-7
48. Mr. Cleaver

asked the Minister of Health why fees paid to opticians for prescriptions for private frames dispensed with National Health lenses have been reduced; whether he is aware that there is widespread dissatisfaction amongst opticians as to his decision, particularly as the recommendations of the Whitley Council have been overridden; and if he will reconsider the matter.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Dr. D. Johnson) on 4th February.

Mr. Cleaver

Is the Minister aware that the dispensing fee now is lower than that agreed in 1948, and in view of the resentment in the profession caused by this fact, will he look at the matter again?

Mr. Walker-Smith

My hon. Friend will know that there is a long and complex history of this matter. Shortly, this is part of a tripartite offer which was made to the opticians. The part which benefited them—that is to say, the increased sight testing fee—was introduced as long ago as 1st January, 1959. This part—the hybrid fee, as it is called—was introduced only on 1st January last. I deferred it as long as was possible.

Mr. Lindsay

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware of the strength of the feeling that they have been harshly dealt with which is held by a very worthy body of people? Will he not, therefore, reconsider the matter?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I realise that the opticians felt that the third part of the offer should not be put into effect, because they came and told me so and we discussed it in detail in November. I assure my hon. Friend that, having looked into the matter closely, I feel that the cut in the hybrid fee, which is in relation to National Health Service lenses dispensed in private frames, is justifiable and in accordance with the facts.

Sir G. Nicholson

Does my right hon. and learned Friend not think that the low rate of profit which opticians receive from frames leads to the exploitation of the public, since they are unwilling to encourage members of the public to get these frames and instead make them pay for expensive ones?

Mr. Walker-Smith

There need be no such danger as my hon. Friend refers to because, if the patient so desires, there is available to him a range of National Health Service glasses with agreeable frames at an approximate cost of 30s. a pair.

Dr. Summerskill

Is it not the fact that opticians are more prosperous today than they have ever been?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I confirm the general conclusion that they are sharing in the present universal prosperity of the country.

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