HC Deb 23 May 1946 vol 423 cc508-9
16. Mr. Touche

asked the Minister of Health when the new aural-aid outfit will be available to the public and how supplies will be sold.

Mr. Bevan

As yet, we have only the blue print, but we are pressing on with arrangements for manufacture and distribution. There will be no avoidable delay, and I will make a further announcement as soon as I can.

Mr. Edward Evans

Before the Minister issues this appliance, will he ensure that there are set up throughout the country the facilities for the proper examination of people who are hard of hearing in order that they shall not be induced to part with money for hearing aids that are not suitable?

Mr. Bevan

I hope to make a number of arrangements; in the first place, for preventing the exploitation of this apparatus, which has been produced by the Post Office, and in which there ought to be no private enterprise interests at all; and, next, to provide facilities for the proper diagnosis of hearing difficulties so as to adjust the apparatus to the nature of the individual case.