§ 20. Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from National Health executive councils in Wales regarding increased charges for spectacles.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattNone, Sir.
§ Mr. RoderickI am rather surprised at the Minister's reply, because I have been receiving representations from all quarters both on the subject of increased charges for spectacles and on the whole range of increased charge for health services. The Minister received a letter from me last week from one authority, but I have others which will arrive on his desk in due course. The Minister and his right hon. Friend—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman must put this in an interrogatory form. He must ask the Minister whether he is aware of these interesting facts.
§ Mr. RoderickMy apologies, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister think that these increased charges will lead to an improvement in the health of the Welsh people or a deterioration, because he keeps referring to inflationary wage claims? He is inviting inflationary wage claims with the proposed charges.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe letter which the hon. Gentleman sent to me did not come from the executive council, although it came on executive council paper signed by an ophthalmic optician. On the hon. Gentleman's second point, children under 1143 16 and those over 16 who are still attending full-time at school will still be exempt from charges for standard lenses, and children's standard frames will be provided free.