HC Deb 17 October 1916 vol 86 cc373-4
91. Major HUNT

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has yet received the information as to whether men supplied with artificial limbs have to pay anything towards their improvement; and whether, in cases where the limbs within a year break or become damaged through no fault of the soldiers using them, the soldiers have to pay the whole cost of repair?

Mr. FORSTER

Men supplied with artificial limbs have not to pay anything towards their improvement. The repair of limbs damaged through no fault of the soldier is paid for by the State.

Major HUNT

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that men do not pay for what is supposed to be an improvement in the making of their artificial limb? He will remember that I asked him this question two months ago. Did it take him two months to find out?

Mr. FORSTER

I know that some men pay for a limb of higher finish than that supplied by the Department. They think because a limb is more expensive that it is necessarily better. I do not agree with them. I do not think that there is any substantial improvement for the extra expense.

Major HUNT

Would it not be well to stop the practices Is it not liable to abuse?

Mr. FORSTER

I do not see how there can be any abuse by men spending their own money. What I have done is to endeavour to get more expensive limbs supplied at lower prices.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is it not the case that the limbs supplied to the officers are of a higher standard than those supplied to the soldiers?

Mr. FORSTER

I think only in the matter of finish.