§ Mr. NelsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he proposes to increase the values of NHS spectacle vouchers to take account of the recent VAT changes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI have made regulations to increase NHS spectacle voucher values to take account of the recent increase in the rate of VAT to 17.5 per cent., which is applicable to the retail margin of finished spectacles. These new values will take effect from 1 August this year.
Voucher Type Current value (£) New value (£) A 19.30 19.70 B 30.50 31.15 C 48.00 49.00 D 37.00 37.80 E 61.00 62.30 F 102.00 104.20 Hospital Eye Service: G 102.00 104.20 H 32.15 32.80 Supplements: Prisms: Single Vision 4.10 4.20 Bifocal 5.10 5.20 Tints: Single Vision 2.05 2.10 Bifocal 2.55 2.60 Complex Lenses: Single Vision 3.60 3.70 Bifocal 19.25 19.70 Small Frame Supplement: 35.20 36.00