§ Mr. Will Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will state the amount paid to ophthalmic opticians as sight-test fees under the National Health Service in 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, and at the present date; and if he will also express their real value in terms of the purchasing power of the £ sterling in 1948.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyFollowing is the information:
SIGHT TEST FEES PAID TO OPHTHALMIC OPTICIANS IN THE GENERAL OPHTHALMIC SERVICE Fees Value in terms of purchasing power in 1948 (i) (ii) s. d. s. d. 1948 15 6 15 6 1952 14 2* 11 8 1956 14 2* 10 5 1960 16 3* 11 1 1964 (September revision) 17 3* 10 6 Current 25 9† 12 6† * For years when different fees were payable according to whether glasses were dispensed the figure in column (i) is the average fee. † Fee introduced in December, 1969. The figure in column (ii) is based on December, 1969 indices, the latest available.