§ Lord Northfieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware of evidence, presented at hearings of the General Optical Council Audit Committee on 14th March, that opticians in Northern Ireland are declining to give, or making it difficult for patients to obtain from them, the prescription prepared at a sight test; and since this is against the law, what action they are taking.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Skelmersdale)I am aware of the allegations made to the General Optical Council Audit Committee. An optician who declines to give to a patient a prescription prepared at a sight test is acting illegally and patients are encouraged by means of a Government information leaflet to report cases of such malpractice to the appropriate Health and Social Services Boards or the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency. The General Optical Council has also offered to investigate specific cases of complaints. However, so far no such cases have been reported to the health boards, the Central Services Agency or the General Optical Council.