HC Deb 21 February 1952 vol 496 cc402-7
8. Mr. Niall Macpherson

asked the Minister of Health how many applications for hearing aids to be supplied under the National Health Service in England and Wales were outstanding at the latest convenient date.

Mr. Crookshank

The number was 110,215, on 31st August last.

Mr. Macpherson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long these applicants have been waiting? For example, what is the earliest completion date, or the average completion date?

Mr. Crookshank

I could not possibly do that without notice. I can say, however, that out of the figure outstanding in August something like 25,000 have since been supplied.

Mr. H. Hynd

Can the Minister say whether those on the waiting list who have actually been examined for hearing aid will have to pay the new proposed charge for that aid?

Mr. Crookshank

I think we had better wait until we come to the Bill to discuss that question.

Miss Alice Bacon

Can the Minister say how many of those on the waiting list are waiting for the bone conduction type of hearing aid, which is not yet available?

Mr. Crookshank

I really could not on a Question which only asks me for a total.

9. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Minister of Health what was the cost of supplying hearing aids under the National Health Service in England and Wales in the financial year 1950–51; what is the estimated cost in the current financial year, on the assumption that full charge is borne by the National Health Service; and what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer resulting from the proposed charge to applicants in a full financial year.

Mr. Crookshank

In 1950–51 the cost of instruments purchased—excluding batteries for electrical hearing aids—was £327,000. The revised estimate for the current financial year is £545,000. The proposed charges are estimated to produce about £61,500 in a full year.

Mr. A. Blenkinsop

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in view of the comparatively small sum involved he ought to withdraw this quite preposterous charge?

Mr. A. Fenner Brockway

Will the Minister say whether this estimate includes charging those who are on the present waiting list?

Mr. Crookshank

It is the estimate of the expenditure for the current financial year.

11. Mr. Archer Baldwin

asked the Minister of Health in view of the long delay in providing patients with deaf aids of the type at present provided under the National Insurance Scheme, what new types are being developed to meet the needs of persons in cases of urgency; and how long it will be before they are available.

Mr. Crookshank

The only new type of hearing aid being developed for the National Health Service is a bone conduction type, and I cannot yet say when this will be available. The vast majority of deaf people need air-conduction aids, and the development of new types would not shorten the waiting period for them.

Mr. Baldwin

As many of the old people who are now waiting for hearing aids will probably not live long enough to receive them and as there are aids on the market which they could purchase forthwith, would my right hon. Friend consider making them a grant equivalent to the cost of the aid which is supplied under the National Health Service so that they may immediately buy a hearing aid?

Mr. Crookshank

All I would say in reply to that is that the present aid which is being used is considered to be the best for the purposes.

16. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Minister of Health if he will continue the provision of hearing aids for children without payment.

Mr. Crookshank

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Brockway

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the appreciation of that answer?

27. Mr. John Profumo

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mr. E. W. Drury, an old-age pensioner, 7, New Street, Stratford-on-Avon, has been waiting for a hearing aid for over 12 months and has been informed that he will probably have to wait for a further six months before receiving the appliance; what are the reasons which are causing such delay in the supply of hearing aids; and to what extent Mr. Drury's circumstances are typical of the majority of elderly people requiring these appliances.

Mr. Crookshank

Yes, Sir. The delay here, as elsewhere, is due to the large accumulated demand, but the greatly increased numbers of aids now being distributed should lead to a marked reduction in the time of waiting.

Mr. Profumo

During the further period of waiting which will be necessary would my right hon. Friend consider the suggestion made by my hon. Friend the Member for Leominster (Mr. Baldwin) that they should be given a grant to enable them to buy these aids on the open market?

Mr. Crookshank

No, I really think it is better to give people, even if they have to wait a little longer, the best possible appliances.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if they wait only a little longer they will have to pay for them, whereas if they had got them when they applied for them they would have had them free? Does he think it fair to penalise in this way people who have been waiting for a long time and who are not themselves in any way responsible for the delay? In the proposals he is now considering will he make an exemption in favour of those whose application for hearing aids has been outstanding for a considerable time?

Mr. Crookshank

This is Question time. I submit that this is not the time to announce decisions of policy arising out of supplementary questions, but, of course, I take note of all the suggestions which are made to me in this House.

Mr. Herbert Morrison

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that whilst what he says is true, one of the most substantial elements of Question time is that Members have the opportunity to examine Ministers and to put supplementary questions of a critical character which Ministers ought to answer?

Mr. Crookshank

I said I would take notice of the questions. It is not necessary to answer supplementary questions which do not necessarily arise.

Mr. Shinwell

rose

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Profumo

Mr. Speaker—

Mr. Speaker

Does the hon. Member desire to raise a point of order?

Mr. Profumo

Yes, Sir. In view of the fact that I am satisfied with the answer to the Question which I put down —[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—well, if after I have considered the answer I am not satisfied I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Shinwell

The Minister has just stated that he could not deal with questions of policy in reply to supplementary questions, but did he not make a statement of policy in relation to identity cards in reply to Questions?

Mr. Baldwin

On a point of order. In view of the fact that my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford (Mr. Profumo), has given notice that he will raise this matter on the Adjournment—

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I cannot hear the point of order.

Mr. Baldwin

In view of the fact that my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford, who asked this Question, has given notice that he will raise this matter on the Adjournment is any further supplementary question in order?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Profumo), who asked the Question, gave a conditional notice that if he were not satisfied he would raise the point. That is not quite good enough.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Further to that point of order, Sir. The Minister has just attempted to lay down a principle about making statements of policy in reply to supplementary questions. In reply to Question No. 25—

Hon. Members

Speak up.

Mr. Speaker

We really are wasting too much time over this. The hon. and learned Gentleman has so far disclosed no point of order. He has disclosed a matter of his own complaint against the Minister, but that is not for me to deal with.

Mr. S. Silverman

On a point of order. In view of the fact that I am not at all satisfied with the failure to get any answer at all to my supplementary question, may I give notice that I will seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment?

Miss Irene Ward

Is it not constitutionally correct that a Minister has a right not to answer a question if he so desires?

Mr. Speaker

That is certainly so.