§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of restoring free eye examinations to(a) all adults, (b) all those over the 266W age of 65, (c) all those over the age of 60 and (d) all those over the age of 55 years; and if he will make a statement. [136484]
§ Mr. HuttonIn April 1999 we made everyone aged 60 and over eligible for a free, National Health Service sight test. Children, people on low incomes and people suffering from or predisposed to eye disease are also eligible. Our estimates of the costs per annum of extending eligibility further are £75 million for all adults and £15 million for people aged 55 and over.