HC Deb 24 June 1982 vol 26 c172W
Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the value of goods and services provided under the National Health Service by opticians in each of the past three years in England and Wales.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The annual costs of the provision of general ophthalmic services by opticians in England and Wales in each of the last three available years were as follows:

England Wales
£ thousands £ thousands
1978–79 49,804 3,254
1979–80 62,384 4,028
1980–81 75,310 4,732

The services in Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, who has provided the above figures. The amounts shown take into account income from patient's charges.