HC Deb 09 March 1944 vol 397 cc2172-3
13. Major Nield

asked the Minister of Pensions how long it is taking to provide artificial limbs for repatriated prisoners of war; and whether the provision of these limbs can be speeded up.

10. Mr. Graham White

asked the Minister of Pensions if his attention has been drawn to the delay in obtaining artificial limbs for repatriated prisoners of war; and if he is taking steps to remedy this state of affairs.

Sir W. Womersley

As I explained in reply to a Question on 24th February, the time taken to provide an artificial limb necessarily varies according to the nature of the limb, the condition of the stump and other factors, so that no figure of general application can be given. Delivery is, unfortunately, not at present up to the pre-war standard but I am doing everything possible, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, to speed up the rate of production.

16. Mr. Viant

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has considered the circular letter, dated 1st March, 1944, which has been sent to him and other Members of the House by the British Limbless Ex-service Men's Association, and whether he intends to take any action to remove the injustices referred to therein and also to reduce the length of time that injured men are kept waiting for treatment and limbs.

Sir W. Womersley

I have seen the letter from the general secretary of this Association. It contains a number of broad imputations and generalisations which I am in no way prepared to accept. There is no delay in the provision of treatment for disabled men. In regard to the supply of artificial limbs, I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to similar Questions today by other hon. Members.

Mr. Petherick

Will my right hon. Friend consider asking the Association to provide definite instances such as those to which they referred in their circular?

Sir W. Womersley

I should welcome that. I have investigated an allegation that a man was kept waiting for four months and find the facts are that he specially requested that he should be allowed to go home and, having been a prisoner of war for so long, we thought that a reasonable request. He stayed at home for two months, but we provided him with a chair so that he could be taken out and wheeled about, and, as soon as he was ready, we took him back into hospital and went on with the fitting of the limb.