§ 71. Major CHAPPLEasked the Pensions Minister how many limbless men have been fitted with artificial limbs; how many are still unfitted; how many of those unfitted are ready and waiting to be supplied; how many of those fitted have returned for refitting or repairs; and what is the average cost of each artificial limb supplied?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Sir Arthur Griffith-Boscawen)Up to the end of last month, 18,307 men had been fitted, or were in process of being fitted, with artificial limbs, and 12,855 were still unfitted. Of the latter number, 4,321 were ready and waiting to be supplied. It is not possible to state how many of those fitted have returned for refitting or repairs, as in many cases the orders are given direct to limb makers by local committees or commandants of military hospitals.
1229 As the prices of artificial limbs vary so greatly with the nature of the amputation, the type of limb selected and the attachments, appliances, and fittings necessitated by the circumstances of the case, it would be misleading to name any figure as representing the average cost of each limb supplied.
§ Major CHAPPLEWill he say what is being done for those who are now unfitted in the way of supplying them with temporary artificial limbs pending the provision of permanent artificial limbs?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENWe are making large additional purchases, and in the next few weeks the accommodation in this respect will be much better.