§ Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will revise the fee structure divorced from the cost of materials for ophthalmic opticians so that they derive the whole of their remuneration from eye examination and eye care as such.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:No. Ophthalmic opticians not only test sight and examine eyes under the NHS but dispense glasses. They are paid separate fees for each of these services in addition to receiving direct reimbursement of the cost of lenses and frames. The levels of sight testing and dispensing fees payable are negotiated between the Health Departments and opticians' representatives within two optical Whitley committees.