§ 2.44 p.m.
§ Lord RugbyMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what alternative sources of supply of optical requirements are available to members of the public who for reasons of choice and cost do not wish to deal with suppliers operating under the opticians' "closed shop".
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Baroness 'Trumpington)My Lords, I do not accept there is an opticians' closed shop. Unregistered persons wishing to do so are permitted to supply spectacles to adults.
§ Lord RugbyMy Lords, are Her Majesty's Government aware that by insisting on its own highly restrictive and indeed inhumane interpretation of Section 21 of the Opticians Act, the General Optical Council has laid open Her Majesty's Government to direct proceedings which are now being brought forward under Article 169 of the Treaty of Rome for failure to fulfil its obligations?
§ Lord RugbyMy Lords, I have to cite the correct Act. When such restrictions have been removed in other member states, and also throughout the United States of America, why do Her Majesty's Government therefore continue to inflict this restriction upon the citizens of this country? Such a restriction fails to enable them to obtain their reading glasses by the best possible method; that is, by choice.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonMy Lords, perhaps the noble Lord needs new specs!
§ Lord RugbyMy Lords, I cannot hear the noble Baroness.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonAnd a hearing aid! My Lords, conditions relating to the sale of spectacles vary from country to country. Some countries permit the sale of ready-made spectacles and others do not. The United Kingdom Government have struck what they consider to be the right balance in their regulatory arrangements. The link between the sale of spectacles and the sight test has been retained as a safeguard to the public. We have taken measures to increase competition in the sale of spectacles so that the public can also enjoy the benefit of low prices.
§ Lord RugbyMy Lords, does the Minister agree that the sight test is an inquisition which forces the customer to purchase an appliance which he would prefer to choose of this own volition, were such volition available?
§ Baroness TrumpingtonNo, my Lords.
§ Lord MonsonMy Lords, can the noble Baroness confirm that there is no legal impediment to cross-channel ferries selling simple reading glasses without prescription outside British territorial waters? Can she also confirm that the same principle applies to airlines selling reading glasses outside British air space?
§ Baroness TrumpingtonMy Lords, I have to maintain that the Government considered there were good health reasons for retaining the link between sight testing and the sale of spectacles. Therefore there is the requirement for prescription.