§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals underwent a routine bi-annual eye examination in(a) each of the three years before 1989 and (b) each of the three years after 1989; and if he will make a statement. [21223]
§ Mr. MilburnThis information requested is not available since statistics collected on National Health Service sight tests do not show the name of the individual tested and no information was collected on private sight tests until 1993–94.
§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of young people(a) under the age of 16 years and (b) aged between 16 and 19 years who are in full-time education take advantage of the bi-annual eye test to which they are entitled; and if he will make a statement; [21222]
(2) what proportion of those people whose income is just above social security benefit levels as defined by a means test take advantage of the bi-annual eye test to which they are entitled; and if he will make a statement; [21220]
(4) what proportion of recipients of jobseeker's allowance take advantage of the recommended and free bi-annual eye test to which they are entitled; and if he will make a statement; [21224]
326W(5) what proportion of those people in receipt of disability working allowance take advantage of the bi-annual eye test to which they are entitled; and if he will make a statement; [21219]
(5) what proportion of people on income support or family credit take advantage of the bi-annual eye test to which they are entitled; and if he will make a statement. [21221]
§ Mr. MilburnInformation is not held centrally in the form requested because statistics collected on sight tests do not show the name of the individual tested. The table shows the aggregate number of National Health Service sight tests received by each eligible group with an estimate of the total population of this group. Information is not yet available on income based job seekers allowance as this benefit was only introduced from 26 October 1996.
Eligible group Number of NHS sight tests 1996–97 Estimated population of eligible group Disability Working Allowance 131,920 9,400 People entitled to help through NHS low income scheme and partners 331,130 550,000 Income Support/Family Credit 2,231,650 6,330,000 Children under 16 2,353,700 10,060,000 Students 16–18 515,320 1,030,000 1 Subject to verification.