§ Mr. W. Griffithsasked the Minister of Health what was the eye examination fee paid to ophthalmic opticians under the Supplementary Ophthalmic Service in 1950; what is the fee paid in 1963; and what is its value today in terms of the purchasing power of the £ sterling in 1950.
§ Mr. BraineThe information is as follows:
— Fee in 1950 Fee in 1963 Fee in 11963 in terms of 1950 purchasing power* s. d. s. d. s. d. If glasses are not prescribed (or if the prescriber does not dispense glasses at all) 15 6 18 0 12 0 In all other circumstances 14 0 16 0 10 8 * On the basis of the index of retail prices.
§ Mr. W. Griffithsasked the Minister of Health whether he will advise general practitioners and ophthalmologists of the desirability of their informing ophthalmic opticians of the developments following, when ophthalmic opticians have referred patients to them, after opticians have carried out an eye examination under the National Health Service.
§ Mr. BraineMy right hon. Friend is considering, with the help of his Standing Ophthalmic Advisory Committee, how such communication might be facilitated.