§ Mr. Butterfillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost saving to the National Health Service if the supply, repair and replacement of general ophthalmic service spectacles is restricted to children aged under 16, full-time students aged under 19, people on certain benefits and low income, and people who require complex lenses, as under amended regulations proposed by the Government.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe anticipated full year effect for England of the Government's measures to limit the supply, repair and replacement of glasses in 1985–86 is expected to be £14 million.
§ Mr. Butterfillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the cost saving to the National Health Service if the full assessed charge is payable by patients who require lenses over six dioptres cylindrical power, or over 10 dioptres spherical and over four dioptres cylindrical power, or lenticular;
(2) how many spectacles, on an annual basis, are prescribed in the categories with one or more lens over six dioptres cylindrical power, over 10 dioptres spherical and over four dioptres cylindrical power, or lenticular;
(3) what percentage of the total number of annual prescriptions is represented by the categories defined as complex in amended regulations proposed by the Government;
(4) how many cases involving complex lenses, as defined in the Government's planned amendments to the general ophthalmic service, are dealt with (a) by the hospital eye service and (b) the general ophthalmic service, on an annual basis.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Butterfillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many prescriptions for glasses have been issued in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIn England the number of prescriptions issued following sight tests under the general opthalmic service were as follows:
number 1983 6,671,836 1982 6,413,522 1981 6,273,033