5.
asked the Minister of Health what is the number of ophthalmic opticians in England and Wales now employed in providing optical treatment within the National Health Service.
Five thousand six hundred and sixty-two.
Does my hon. Friend consider this number sufficient to meet the needs of the National Health Service, and is he satisfied that ophthalmic opticians as a whole have shown that high standard of professional service which the Minister expected?
We are hoping for an increase in the numbers which will become available for the service, and we feel that in general the professional standard of ophthalmic opticians is high.
Can my hon. Friend tell-us what percentage of the number of available opticians are out of the scheme at present?
Not without notice.