§ 33. Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of patients supplied with spectacle lenses in 1972 compared with 1969 ; and what percentage has been free or partly free in respect of each of these years.
§ Mr. AlisonIn England, about 3.7 million persons were supplied with National Health Service spectacle lenses under the general ophthalmic services in 1972, compared with 4.8 million in 1969 ; of these, about 22 per cent. were exempt from or obtained full or partial remission of the charges normally payable in 1972, compared with about 13 per cent. in 1969.