Written question asked by Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 January 1997. It was answered by Gerald Malone (Conservative) on Monday, 27 January 1997 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: If he will estimate the annual cost of abolishing all charges for eye tests; and what estimate he has made of the number of people who presently make some payment for such tests. - Figs given.

Answer: Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the annual cost of abolishing all charges for eye tests; and what estimate he has made of the number of people who presently make some payment for such tests. [12787] Mr. Malone: We estimate that, on the basis of the trend in the number of national health service free sight tests apparent before the announcement of the restrictions in November 1987 and with NHS sight test fees at 1996-97 levels, removing the restrictions on the availability of NHS sight tests would cost about £120 million. Results from surveys suggest that in 1995-96 some six million people received private sight tests.

Secondary information