§ 4. Mr. Walter Fletcherasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there is a shortage of bone conductor hearing aids in the North-West Region; and if he will take steps to improve the supply of these aids.
§ Mr. MarquandBone-conduction aids are not yet supplied by the National Health Service in any part of the country, but will be as soon as possible.
§ Mr. FletcherIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fact that these hearing aids are not supplied causes great hardship, particularly to a lot of old people, and will he give what I am sure will be his sympathetic consideration to the need for going into the whole of this question again and trying to provide them as soon as possible?
§ Mr. MarquandYes, Sir. I understand that very considerable research is being done by the Post Office, that it is still going on, and that there are prospects of some success.
§ Mr. AwberyIs my right hon. Friend aware that the batteries for these aids are very expensive, costing something between £8 and £10 a year, and will he, through the Health Service, assist people to buy them?
§ 12. Mr. Blackasked the Minister of Health how many applications for hearing aids are outstanding in the boroughs of Wimbledon and Malden, respectively; and how long is the average period of waiting.
§ Mr. MarquandInformation relating to these areas is not separately available.