§ Mrs. Doris Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the situation regarding the manufacture and supply of centre-controlled bifocal lenses to National Health Service applicants.
§ Mr. AlisonThe production of centre-controlled bifocal lenses is very high precision work. Each lens is made individually direct from the ophthalmic blank to a precise degree of accuracy occupying many man hours. The demand for this type of lens is small and there is only one manufacturer in this country.
§ Mrs. Doris Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the recruitment of staff for training in the manufacture of centre-controlled bifocal lenses for the National Health Service.
§ Mr. AlisonCentre-controlled bifocal lenses are only one particular type of bifocal lens and it would be unreasonable to require the industry to train staff for this sole purpose. The skill needed to produce the various forms of ophthalmic lenses takes many years to acquire together with an extensive theoretical knowledge which is acquired in industry and by attendance at any of the recognised colleges. The industry is free to recruit the staff it considers necessary.