Oral Answers to Questions — Health – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 25 October 2005.
Sir David Amess
Conservative, Southend West
2:30,
25 October 2005
How much the Government spent on general ophthalmic services in England in 2004; and how much she estimates will be spent in 2005.
Caroline Flint
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health)
Provisional data for 2004–05 indicate that the total spend on general ophthalmic services in England was £340 million. Our initial provision for 2005–06 is £354 million, but as a demand-led service, the final spend will be determined by the number of NHS sight tests performed in general ophthalmic services in the year and the number of optical vouchers dispensed.
Sir David Amess
Conservative, Southend West
Will the Minister take this opportunity to congratulate the optical sector on its delivery of patient choice and high-quality services as part of its comprehensive provision of general ophthalmic services in the NHS? Will she ensure that the review that she is undertaking will do nothing to undermine any of the achievements that have been gained?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
