Opticians (Goods and Services) (Hansard, 29 June 1977)

HC Deb 29 June 1977 vol 934 c209W 209W

§ Mr. Knox
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the value of goods and services provided by opticians under the National Health Service in the United Kingdom in each of the past three years.

§ Mr. Moyle
Information in the form requested is not available. However, the estimated costs of the provision of general ophthalmic services by opticians in the United Kingdom were as follows:

Year ended 31st March £ million

1975 … … … … … 38.4

1976 … … … … … 68.8^*

1977 … … … … … 76.7

^* Includes about £9 million arrears due in respect of earlier years.

The figures include income from patients' charges.

Year ended 31st March						£ million
1975	…	…	…	…	…	38.4
1976	…	…	…	…	…	68.8^*
1977	…	…	…	…	…	76.7
^* Includes about £9 million arrears due in respect of earlier years.