HC Deb 26 April 1951 vol 487 cc81-2W
Mr. Goronwy Roberts

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons issued with free spectacles and dentures, respectively, in 1948, 1949 and 1950, respectively; and the total cost in each case in each of these years.

Mr. Marquand

Precise information is not available but I estimate that in England and Wales the number of dentures and spectacles supplied (including those for which the patient paid a contribution) were approximately as follows:

—— Patients supplied with Dentures Number of pairs of Spectacles
1948 200,000 1,500,000
1949 2,300,000 7,250,000
1950 3,450,000 8,250,000
5,950,000 17,000,000

I have no separate figures of cost.