§ Mr. Jim Lesterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of reprinting and posting the statement of fees and charges for general ophthalmic services as from 1st January 1976; why a second reprint was needed within 10 days; and what was the cost.
§ Mr. MeacherAmendments No. 4 and 5 to the general ophthalmic services statement were sent out on 12th December and 22nd December 1975. respectively. No amendments have been issued since 1st January 1976.
Amendment No. 4, which gave details of new patients' charges and other changes, was isued urgently to ensure that practitioners were informed of the new details before they took effect on 1st January 1976. Unfortunately, information about increases in prices, and therefore payments to opticians for the supply of lenses and frames, was received too late for inclusion in that amendment. This 19W information had to be issued in Amendment No. 5.
Information is not yet available regarding the cost of these amendments. I will write to the hon. Member when it is received.