§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people qualified for financial assistance towards the cost of optical appliances in each year since 1979.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyFigures are not available prior to 1986–87, when the NHS spectacle voucher scheme was introduced. The table gives details of the numbers of spectacle vouchers redeemed in England and Wales from 1986–87.
Financial Years Vouchers redeemed (millions) 1986–87 2.471 1987–88 2.704 1988–89 2.417 1989–90 2.422