§ 48. Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Minister of Pensions what economy has been effected by withdrawing the supply of surgical boots from men suffering from shortening of leg due to war injury and compelling the pensioner to buy ordinary boots and then send them to the Ministry for adjustment; and whether he will revert to the practice of the free supply of surgical boots and repairs to all pensioners whose legs are shortened one inch or more as the result of war injury?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)There has been no such rule as that suggested in the last part of the question, nor has the supply of surgical boots been withdrawn. It has always been the duty of the responsible medical officer to order what was necessary either by way of modification of the man's own boots or, if this was not practicable, by the construction of a special boot, according as in his judgment was necessitated by the surgical requirements of the case, due regard being had to the appearance of the finished product. With the lapse of time, as the hon. Member will realise, the disability will in many cases have reached a final condition such as may no longer require the supply of a specially constructed boot. I am unable to say what saving may be effected in such cases.