HL Deb 19 April 1975 vol 360 cc1017-9
Lord BRUCE of DONINGTON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider extending the range of spectacles provided within the National Health Service for sale at controlled prices, or establishing a publicly owned manufacturing enterprise, incorporating a design unit, to provide the public with an effective and cheaper alternative to the existing sources of supply.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State keeps all aspects of the National Health Service under continuing review, and this particular matter raised by my noble friend is one of them.

Lord BRUCE of DONINGTON

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the range of spectacle frames supplied under the National Health Service at a reduced price is most unsatisfactory in design and general appearance, and that the alternative frames for which the patient has to pay, although much more attractive, are supplied at exorbitant cost? Is my noble friend also aware that once a patient has spent something like 15 or 20 minutes having his eyes tested he feels—on being shown the rather unsatisfactory NHS frames—under some obligation to order the alternative frames, whatever the cost might be? Is not this situation thoroughly unsatisfactory?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, my right honourable friend takes the point raised by my noble friend. We are aware of the widespread concern regarding National Health frames. All I can say at this stage is that the matter is being considered.

Lord PANNELL

My Lords, would my noble friend consider bringing to the notice of opticians and the optical profession up and down the country the fact that they should have the range of National Health frames on top of the counter and not always under it?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, I will take note of what my noble friend has said.

Lord POPPLEWELL

My Lords, my noble friend has said that this matter will be looked at. But when spectacles can cost from £7 to £15 per pair—and that is just for the frames—is it not time that firm steps were taken to impose a limit, in view of the present inflationary situation?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, your Lordships, and in particular my noble friend, should not assume from what I have said that nothing is being done in this matter. We are alive to the situation and are well aware of the concern which has been expressed today. But these things take time and often need prolonged negotiations.

Lord SEGAL

My Lords, can my noble friend say to what extent contact lenses are obtainable on the National Health Service, and how far their use would obviate the need for spectacle frames altogether?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, I cannot give my noble friend a reply at the moment. If he would care to put down a Question on the matter, I should be happy to reply.

Lord HALE

My Lords, would the noble Lord also assure my noble friend that his right honourable friend is exploring every avenue and leaving no stone unturned? In the meantime, could he tell me where I can find an optician who will give treatment under the National Health Service; and, further, how one may find such an optician without trying half a dozen in various parts of London?

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, in reply to the first part of my noble friend's question, the answer is. Yes. In reply to the second part, I think he can get a list of opticians from his local Post Office.

Lord AIREDALE

My Lords, in contrast to what the noble Lord, Lord Popplewell, said, is it not a fact that a pair of National Health spectacles in perfectly reasonable horn-rimmed frames can be had for something over £3? Is not this a good buy? Surely all that needs to be done is to make people aware that these spectaces are available?

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Shepherd)

My Lords, I am sure the House will be grateful to the noble Lord for what he has said, but I suggest that we certainly do not need spectacles to see that we have spent some l8½ minutes on three Questions. Therefore, I think we should move on to the next.