§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many eye examinations were carried out in England in each year since 1985.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe numbers of national health service sight tests paid for in each financial year in England are shown in the table. The number of private sight tests carried out since the introduction of sight test charges is not available.
146W
Numbers of children in the care of and fostered by local authorities and numbers of adoption orders made 1979 to 1991 Children in care, England at 31 March Adoption orders made1 in England and Wales Children in care2 Fostered3 Year Male Female Male Female Male Female 1979 56,459 38,629 17,609 16,587 5,593 5,277 1980 56,144 39,153 18,187 17,054 5,428 5,181 1981 54,459 37,811 18,659 17,090 4,799 4,485 1982 52,083 36,580 19,302 17,574 5,305 4,935 1983 48,072 34,093 19,203 17,321 4,640 4,389 1984 43,513 31,332 19,032 17,059 4,437 4,211 1985 39,985 29,565 18,421 16,589 3,856 3,587 1986 38,139 29,187 18,385 16,731 4,042 3,634 1987 36,518 29,250 18,137 16,903 3,545 3,505 1988 35,259 29,093 18,108 16,818 3,675 3,513
Year Millions 1984–85 9.89 1985–86 10.25 1986–87 10.62 1987–88 11.70 1988–89 12.49 1989–90 Old scheme 1.63 New scheme1 3–65 1990–91 4.15 1991–92 4–98 1 From 1 April 1989 NHS sight tests were restricted to certain groups in the population. The sight tests paid for in 1989–90 include some conducted prior to 1 April 1989 (old scheme) when sight tests were universally available. The remainder paid for in 1989–90 do not represent a full year under the new system, because of the delay in payments. The figure for 1989–90 is not, therefore directly comparable with that for 1990–91.