§ Mr. F. Beattieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has in view any extension of facilities for the prevention and treatment of blindness among the civilian population by amendment of the Prevention and Treatment of Blindness (Scotland) Act, 1938, or otherwise.
Mr. JohnstonProvision for prevention and treatment of blindness has hitherto been made by Scottish local authorities, in varying measure, as part of their maternity and child welfare, school health, tuberculosis and other services. A small number of authorities have exercised their powers under the Act of 1938 to extend such provisions to persons outside the scope of these special services. In certain areas, also, voluntary hospitals have provided valuable facilities, and voluntary societies for the blind have done most useful work. As part of the National Health Service, it is contemplated that every person will have access, either through his general practitioner or through an appropriate local clinic service or otherwise, to all necessary specialist and hospital facilities required for all purposes, including facilities for the prevention and treatment of blindness.