§ Sir C. Rawsonasked the Minister of Health whether it is still the policy of His Majesty's Government that additional benefits should be provided for insured persons in connection with National Health Insurance as in times of peace; and if he will take steps to provide for the manufacture of frames for spectacles stamped O.B.A.C.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part every effort is being made to ensure that a sufficient supply of spectacle frames of the standards laid down by the ophthalmic benefit approved committee is available1400W for insured persons. My right hon. Friend, in conjunction with other Departments and bodies concerned, is carefully watching the position. Under arrangements already in operation, if an insured person is in urgent need of glasses and cannot for the time being be supplied with a spectacle frame stamped as indicated in the Question, the optician concerned should apply to the approved committee for special authority to supply a suitable frame not so stamped.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether, in order to reduce unnecessary use of paper, he will take steps to see that the records required to be maintained of attendances, etc., on insured persons by insurance practitioners, are abolished?
Mr. BrownNo, Sir, I am not satisfied that the suspension of the system of medical records would be justified in present circumstances.