To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many optometrists were (a) struck off and (b) subject to other disciplinary action for malpractice in each of the last five years. (154907)

The Department does not hold this information. We understand that the information is available from the General Optical Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional monitoring his Department plans to carry out of the quality of services offered by optometrists. (154908)

The General Optical Council (GOC) is the statutory body which regulates the optical professions. The GOCs main aims are to protect the public and promote high standards of professional conduct and education among opticians.

The GOC has an investigation committee which is responsible for investigating any concerns about the fitness to practice of registered optometrists and dispensing opticians, the fitness of student optometrists and dispensing opticians to undertake training and the fitness of corporate bodies to carry on business, in the United Kingdom.

Optometrists providing services under the national health service must be on a primary care trust (PCT) list. PCTs have powers to carry out inspections and to remove or suspend businesses or individual optometrists where they think that is justified.