§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of sight tests in the second quarter of 1990, and in previous quarters over the past five years.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyInformation on sight tests is not available centrally on a quarterly basis. Statistics on the number of sight tests paid for under the general ophthalmic services are currently collected on a six-monthly basis. The following table gives the number of NHS sight tests paid for in England for the five-year period up to and including 31 September 1989—the most recent figure available. Comparable data on private sight tests conducted since April 1989 are not centrally collected.
Number of sight tests paid for by FPCs England Millions 1984–85 April-September 4.793 October-March 5.090 1985–86 April-September 5.166 October-March 5.080 1986–87 April-September 5.265 October-March 5.350 1987–88 April-September 5.581 October-March 6.114 1988–89 April-September 5.779 October-March 6.714 1989–90 April-September 3.380