§ 45. Mr. Will Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that, in consequence of the new charges imposed on the general ophthalmic services, ophthalmic opticians, in many cases, will be obliged to collect money from the patient in excess of the statutory amounts laid down by order; and what action he proposes to recompense ophthalmic opticians for acting as collectors of revenue.
§ Sir K. JosephI assume the hon. Member is referring to the possibility that charges to patients may exceed the overall sums due to be paid by Executive Councils. In practice ophthalmic opticians will rarely be in this position;68W but I am considering how best to assess, for payment purposes, changes in the time spent by opticians on health service work generally.