§ Mrs. Jill Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that the new arrangements to assist the visually handicapped and those needing complex prescriptions who will be unable to pay for the glasses they need will be introduced by 1 April when these aids cease to be available on the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeRegulations will be laid within the next few days dealing with entitlement and other provisions under the general ophthalmic services from 1 April.
The general range of optical appliances will continue to be available without charge to children and to people entitled to full remission of charges, and at reduced charge to those entitled to partial remission on income grounds.
A defined range of complex lenses will be available, at a charge which reflects full economic costs, to the visually handicapped and others who do not qualify for full or partial remission of charges.
The present arrangements for dispensing optical appliances through the hospital eye service will continue.