§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health the number of National Health Service prescriptions for pairs of spectacle lenses accepted by the Hull Executive Council in the last year for which figures are available, and the number of National Health Service frames selected by the patients on these prescriptions.
74W
§ Miss PittPrescriptions for some 39,000 pairs of glasses were authorised by Hull Executive Council in 1959. It is estimated that 14,000 were dispensed with new National Health Service frames. The number dispensed by fitting lenses to existing National Health Service frames is not know.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health whether, before deciding on the new range of National Health Service spectacle frames, he will arrange for national sample inquiries to be made as to the reasons for dissatisfaction with the present styles and why opticians are not showing the present range.
§ Miss PittA sample inquiry into the demand for the various National Health Service frames and the extent of repairs and replacements is now in progress and my right hon. and learned Friend does not consider further samples inquiries are required. On completion of the inquiry he will be asking his Standing Ophthalmic Advisory Committee to advise him whether any changes are needed in the present range of frames. The optical profession will also be consulted before any change in range is made.