§ Lord Northfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they will ask the General Optical Council to give publicity to their role of investigating complaints against opticians for unnecessary prescribing and over-pricing in the selling of spectacles.
§ Baroness HooperThe General Optical Council is responsible for ensuring the professional standing and integrity of the ophthalmic profession. Any instances of unnecessary prescribing would be considered as a disciplinary offence and subject to investigation under the terms of the General Optical Council rules. Disciplinary hearings are open to the public and the press. A press statement is issued by the General Optical Council on the outcome of any hearing.
The sale of spectacles is a private transaction. Allegations of over-pricing would therefore need to be made to the local trading standards officer, who would be responsible for taking action if appropriate.