HC Deb 11 February 1982 vol 17 c459W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to exempt from all optical charges all persons showing as low a visual acuity as to entitle them to register as blind persons.

Mr. Rossi

I have great sympathy for the problems of the visually handicapped. However, the present arrangements for remission of optical charges give substantial help to all in this group who are on low incomes, and to children. It would not be appropriate to offer remission of optical charges to all blind and partially sighted people without having regard to the resources available to them to meet these charges.