HC Deb 07 November 1996 vol 284 c639W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received in the last six months regarding the provision of free NHS spectacles for younger children; and what plans he has to improve the availability and range of such spectacles. [2700]

Mr. Malone

All children under 16 are entitled to national health service spectacle vouchers which their parents can use to buy a pair of spectacles outright or, alternatively, top-up to buy a more expensive pair. In the last six months I have received representations from two parents who elected to top-up the value of the voucher when buying their children spectacles.

Finished consultant episodes with a primary diagnosis of "alcohol dependency syndrome" in NHS hospitals in England and West Midlands, 1989–90 to 1994–95
England West Midlands
Financial year Number (thousands) Percentage change from previous year Number (thousands) Percentage change from previous year
1989–90 20.7 2.2
1990–91 21.0 1 2.2 -2
1991–92 18.4 -13 2.2 1
1992–93 19.7 7 2.2 0
1993–94 20.1 2 2.5 14
1994–95 20.7 3 2.5 -3

Notes:

1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.

2. Figures are based on code 303 of the 9th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, alcohol dependency syndrome.

3. Figures refer to area of treatment.

Source:

Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many under-18s have received treatment for alcohol dependency(a) nationally and (b) in the west midlands each year since 1990; and what was the percentage change in each year. [1803]

Mr. Burns

The information available is given in the table.

Finished consultant episodes amongst under-18s with a primary diagnosis of "alcohol dependency syndrome" in NHS hospitals in England and West Midlands, 1989–90 to 1994–95
Financial year England West Midlands
1989–90 53 10
1990–91 80 5
1991–92 50 8
1992–93 82 3
1993–94 74 4
1994–95 98 2

Notes:

1. Figures are based on code 303 of the 9th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, alcohol dependency syndrome.

2. Figures refer to area of treatment.

3. The numbers involved are small and year-on-year percentage changes have not been shown, because they are not considered to be meaningful.

Source:

Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health.