§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any statistics to show what the level of profit is on the sale of National Health Service spectacle frames.
§ Mr. MoyleThe level of profit earned by the suppliers of National Health Service spectacle frames is confidential between the Department and the suppliers.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many different companies have contracts to make National Health Service spectacle frames.
§ Mr. MoyleThe Department does not enter into contracts with manufacturers for the supply of National Health Service spectacle frames. Companies may apply to the Department for approval of frames they wish to market as NHS frames and, subject to approval being given, they are then free to sell these frames to the prescription manufacturers which make up spectacles to the optician's prescription.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service spectacle frames were sold in 1975, 1974 and 1973.
§ Mr. MoyleThe numbers of National Health Service spectacle frames sold in Great Britain in 1975, 1974 and 1973 were:
410W
1975 1,844,758 1974 1,632,329 1973 1,598,260
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria are used to establish the price at which National Health Service spectacle frames are retailed to the public.
§ Mr. MoyleUntil November 1972 the prices paid by patients for National Health Service spectacle frames were fixed following negotiations with the manufacturer on the basis of allowing them a fair and reasonable return on the capital employed. Since that date the prices have been subject to the controls exercised by the Price Commission and price increases have been determined in accordance with the criteria set out in the Price Code.