§ Mr. Barnesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants have claimed free dental and optical care since April, 1971.
§ Mr. AlisonPersons who are completely exempt from dental charges or are exempt from all charges except those for dentures in England and Wales in68W the 12 months from 1st April, 1971, received over 10 million courses of dental treatment or emergency treatment. In the same period the number of pairs of glasses supplied to children without any charge for lenses or frames was about 45,000. In addition, lenses were supplied without charge to about 153,000 children
The numbers of persons given help from the Supplementary Benefits Commission towards charges payable for dental treatment and for glasses in England and Wales from 24th March, 1971, to 21st March, 1972, were about 368,000 and 741,000 respectively.