§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of eye hospitals, or hospitals with eye departments, in the London area, in which the hospital clerk discusses spectacle frames with patients and informs the optician that private frames are required; and what action he will take to ensure the optician shows all hospital patients the full appropriate range of National Health Service frames, and the alternative colours, for £1 10s. 3d.
§ Miss PittDetailed information in answer to the first part of the Question is not available, but it is usual for the 79W staff to answer any preliminary inquiries made by patients. With regard to the second part of the Question my right hon. and learned Friend is reminding hospital authorities that patients should be made fully aware of the spectacles available under the National Health Service and the appropriate charges.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that an optician in Newark, whose name has been provided by the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, East, informed a National Health Service patient that only one National Health Service frame was available and no others in stock, and then showed private frames ranging in price from £3 to £10; 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 special action on the part of my right hon. and learned Friend seems required. The type of frame worn by the patient is becoming very difficult to obtain, and this will be borne in mind in reviewing the list of National Health Service frames.