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Mr. Carter-Jones
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to introduce legislation to exempt registered blind and partially sighted people from optical charges; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Alfred Morris
I am pleased to be able to announce that we shall lay regulations in the present parliamentary Session to exempt the registered blind and partially sighted in England and Wales from the basic NHS optical charges. The exemption will extend to all NHS charges for the supply, repair or replacement of NHS lenses and frames, but not to additonal charges levied on appliances of a more expensive type than those prescribed. It is expected that some 100,000 blind and partially sighted adults will benefit from the exemption.