§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to permit payment to opticians of a domiciliary examination fee for visits to bedridden or home confined patients and to alter regulations prohibiting examination within 12 months without prior permission for country areas in which great inconvenience is caused.
§ Mr. Ross:Fees and expenses are now available for opticians who dispense glasses on domiciliary visits at the request of hospital authorities, and permission for a second sight-test within 12 months is readily given in appropriate circumstances. I am, however, considering these matters further in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.