HC Deb 18 January 1982 vol 16 c46W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of new spectacle users take National Health Service frames; and how this proportion differs between regions.

Dr. Vaughan

During the year ending on 31 December 1980, 1, 938, 000 patients who were supplied with new spectacles chose NHS frames whilst 1, 924, 000 patients chose private frames. It is not possible to give a breakdown of the figures on a regional basis as they are not collected in this way.