HC Deb 28 April 1994 vol 242 c324W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many NHS sight tests took place in each financial year since 1984–85 in Scotland.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 25 April 1994]: The number of national health service sight tests paid for by health boards in each of the financial years from 1984–85 to 1993–94 is shown in the table.

National health service sight tests
Year Number
1984–85 884,727
1985–86 913,901
1986–87 965,160
1987–88 1,098,145
1988–89 1,169,610
1989–90 1475,479
1990–91 432,885
1991–92 496,598
1992–93 538,684
1 Since 1 April 1989 free national health service sight tests have been available only to children, full-time students under 19, those in receipt of income support or family credit, the registered blind and partially sighted, complex lens users, those who hold an AG2 exemption certificate from the health benefits unit, diagnosed diabetic or glaucoma sufferers and close relatives aged 40 or over of glaucoma sufferers.