HC Deb 16 March 1981 vol 1 cc14-5
17. Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will now take steps to prohibit restrictive practices in the sale of spectacles.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

I understand that the General Optical Council's revised rules on price display have been submitted to the Privy Council for approval. The Director General has decided that these should be given time to prove their effect on competition before reconsidering use of his powers.

Mr. Lawrence

Since my right hon. Friend believes passionately in competition, can she tell my why it is necessary for us to pay £40 for a pair of spectacles when a similar product is on sale in America and elsewhere for only £5? What assurance can she give that the price of spectacle frames will not be kept artificially high and that prospective buyers will be able to go from qualified testers to whichever optician they choose, having compared prices exhibited in shop windows?

Mrs. Oppenheim

The quick answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is that he should buy spectacles in the United States—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I recognise that the problem of competition concerns a number of people. The Government are encouraging opticians to be more open about prices, so that patients can be made more aware of the cost involved and of comparative costs before committing themselves to purchase.

Mr. Greville Janner

Is the Minister aware that the optical profession seeks to defend the excess prices charged on spectacles by saying that it is not paid a decent rate for normal optical services? In looking into this matter, will the Minister also consider the entire question as it affects that profession?

Mrs. Oppenheim

I shall certainly bear in mind all aspects of the matter which affect the consumer and which affect questions of competition. The hon. and learned Gentleman will be aware that there are a number of aspects of this question which affect my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

Mr. John Smith

Is the Minister aware that her original reply to this question is deeply unsatisfactory in that as the Minister allegedly responsible for consumer protection she advised an hon. Member to purchase goods outwith this country, where he might obtain better terms? Is she aware that time after time today, when issues of competition have arisen—on which she says that she places great reliance—it has been clear that the Government are prepared to do very little in practice to back the philosophy of competition that they allegedly espouse?

Mrs. Oppenheim

British goods will be sold successfully in this country and abroad only when their prices and quality are comparable with those of goods obtainable from abroad. While they are not, clearly consumers will not buy goods manufactured in this country. The whole point of strengthening competition policy, which the Government to a large extent have done, is to ensure that lower prices and higher standards prevail for consumers.