§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many models No. 524 National Health Service frames were issued in the last year, and for the five years previous to that; and how many of these were issued to recipients of supplementary benefit, family income supplement and low income individuals who received them free;
(2) how many National Health Service model frames in each category were issued last year, and for the five years previous to that (a) No. 525, (b) No. 614, (c) No. 615, (d) No. 814, (e) No. 824, (f) No. 321, (g) No. 322, (h) No. 421, (i) No. 422, (j) No. 423, (k) No. 722, (l) No. 724 and (m) No. 924; and how much was received in income from the sale of these frames.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe information is not available in the form requested.
The number of all NHS frames supplied to adults in England were:
Million 1978 1.4 1979 1.4 1980 1.5 1981 1.5 1982 1.6 1983* 0.8 * First half of 1983 only. It is estimated that the supply of the 524 frame represents about 80 per cent. of these totals. Information on the receipt of monies from frame charges is not available.
For the same period the annual number of remissions for all low-income groups were:
Million 1978 0.7 1979 0.7 1980 0.7 1981 0.8 1982 0.9 1983* 0.5 * First half of 1983 only. These remissions cover frames and/or lenses.