Hearing Aids, Southampton (Hansard, 15 November 1951)

§ 5. Dr. King
asked the Minister of Health whether he will speed up the provision of hearing-aids for deaf people in Southampton.

§ Mr. Crookshank
The allocation of hearing aids to the Southampton distribution centre has recently been substantially increased. I hope that the improved supplies will enable the centre steadily to reduce the waiting list.

§ Dr. King
As the waiting list is increasing each month by more than the supply each month, will the right hon. Gentleman look into the statement that some of the essential parts of hearing aids are now not being made because the factories are being taken over for rearmament?

§ Mr. Crookshank
That is another question, but the fact is that greatly increased supplies have been sent to the Southampton centre in the last few months.

§ Colonel L. Ropner
May we look forward to the next step? There is a great deal of delay at the moment. Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the supplies will be speeded up?

§ Mr. Crookshank
Yes, it is our object to try to get these aids to whoever requires them as soon as possible.

§ Sir Herbert Williams
Does my right hon. Friend think that the chances of the re-election of the hon. Member for Southampton, Test (Dr. King), would be increased if all his constituents heard him?