§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that an optician in Sidcup, Kent, whose name has been 136W provided by the hon. Member for Hull, East, informed a National Health Service patient, who required only one pair of spectacles, that he must have two pairs or nothing, offered a frame for £2 19s. 6d., and said he was only a technician and would have to send the spectacles to London, and that the patient has waited over two months for his spectacles; and what action he will take to ensure that this optician provides a proper National Health Service, with the range of frames and alternative colours for £1 10s. 3d.
§ Miss PittNo action on the part of my right hon. and learned Friend seems indicated. I understand that the Kent and Canterbury Ophthalmic Services Committee has heard nothing further from the patient since it wrote to her on 11th February offering to make inquiries. It remains open to her to take advantage of this offer.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health the average delay by opticians, in Hull, in forwarding National Health Service prescriptions fox lenses to the executive council, and the maximum delay during the year 1959.
§ Miss PittI understand that opticians in Hull normally forward prescriptions within about three days of giving a sight-test. I regret that the information requested in the last part of the Question is not available.