Written question asked by Jonathan Sayeed (Conservative) on Wednesday, 24 March 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 April 1999. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 April 1999 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action the Government is taking to publicise free availability of spectacles for children.

Answer: Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to publicise free availability of spectacles for children. [79050] Mr. Denham: Under the National Health Service optical voucher scheme children under the age of 16 and young people aged 16 to 18, who are in full time education, are entitled to an optical voucher which they may use to buy spectacles from a basic range or, if they choose, put towards the cost of more expensive spectacles or contact lenses. These arrangements are publicised in the following leaflets which the Department distributes to a wide range of public premises including optical practices, doctors' surgeries, pharmacies, post offices and social security offices: HC11 "Are you entitled to help with health costs". HC12 "NHS charges and optical voucher values".

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 329 c538W; 79050
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Children Advertising Fees and charges Exemptions Publicity Ophthalmic services Spectacles