§ Lord Northfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they will ask the General Optical Council to investigate and report on unnecessary prescribing of spectacles, particularly for young people, as alleged in television programmes and press articles.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hooper)We are aware of press articles and TV coverage earlier this year about alleged over-prescribing. No complaints of any substance have been received by the department and, therefore, we have no plans to ask the General Optical Council to investigate this matter. It is, of course, open to anyone who is dissatisfied following a sight test to complain to the General Optical Council or to the Consumer Complaints Section of the Association of Optometrists at Bridge House, 233/234 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NW.