§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many deaths of elderly people registered in the last quarter of 1982 and the first quarter of 1983 mentioned (a) hypothermia, (b) bronchitis, (c) pneumonia (d) influenza and (e) other cold-related diseases or illnesses; if he will give such information as he has for the last quarter of 1983; and what were the corresponding figures in the previous five years.
§ Mr. John PattenExcept for hypothermia, the information is not analysed by number of mentions for the diseases requested. In the following table the figures relating to respiratory diseases are based on underlying cause of death and include some of the deaths with mention of hypothermia. There is no definitive list of cold-related illnesses; there is increased risk with cold to people suffering a wide variety of conditions.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the savings which will result from the withdrawal of the right to buy National Health Service spectacles; and what it would be if all retirement pensioners were to remain entitled to buy National Health Service spectacles.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeCeasing to supply glasses to all under the general ophthalmic service will save some £17 million. Pensioners on low incomes will still be entitled to free or reduced cost glasses. Information on how many retirement pensioners obtain glasses under the GOS at the moment is not available.
Those pensioners whose incomes do not qualify for free or reduced cost glasses may well be able to buy those frames which are at the moment NHS spectacles on the private market if they wish. I see little point in continuing to subsidise everyone above a set age with a particular taste in spectacles out of public funds.