§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why one of the clinics at the London Refraction hospital is empty and unused;
(2) what study he has made of the financial position of the London Refraction hospital; and what proposals he has for additional funding.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe London Refraction hospital is not an NHS establishment accountable to us but is operated independently as a registered charity. We have no information, therefore, about the use of clinics at the hospital and we have not made a study of its financial position.
The hospital is paid the usual fee for any NHS sight tests carried out there and may apply for financial assistance for providing refresher training courses for opticians which are relevant to the general opthalmic service. We have no proposals for additional funding.