§ 40. Lieut.-Commander Joynson-Hicksasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that owing to the shortage of spare parts there is a prolonged delay in repairing hearing aids; and if he will release a greater quantity of an improved quality for civilian use.
§ Mr. DaltonI regret that there have been delays in repairs, due, in the first place, to the heavy and ever-increasing Service demands for valves, and, in the second place, to the fact that some manufacturers, contrary to the advice of the Board of Trade, have made new sets with valves needed for repairing old ones. As regards batteries, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave on 7th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie).
§ Lieut.-Commander Joynson-HicksMay I ask if the Minister is doing anything to improve a situation which he recognises is so bad?
§ Mr. DaltonWe are looking at it from every direction, but skilled labour is very short.