§ 48. Mr. Cleaverasked 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-SmithI 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. CleaverIs 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-SmithMy 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. LindsayIs 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-SmithI 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. NicholsonDoes my right hon. and learned Friend not think that the 957 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-SmithThere 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. SummerskillIs it not the fact that opticians are more prosperous today than they have ever been?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI confirm the general conclusion that they are sharing in the present universal prosperity of the country.