HC Deb 22 January 1953 vol 510 cc389-90
17 and 18. Mr. Erroll

asked the Minister of Health (1) what is the estimated cost per annum of servicing each Medresco hearing aid issued;

(2) what was the total cost, including the cost of administration, research, development, establishment and maintenance of clinics, training and payment of staff, distribution, fitting, servicing and repair, of supplying Medresco hearing aids 10 the 171,500 patients who were fitted up to the 31st December, 1951.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The average cost of major repairs or reconditioning of a Medresco aid is just under £1 per annum, excluding administrative and other overheads. On the average, aids in use require major repair or reconditioning not more than once a year. Minor repairs are undertaken by the technicians at the hearing aid centres and, since they are engaged also on other work, it is not possible to give figures of the cost.

The other information asked for involves extensive and complicated calculations, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to give it. I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Erroll

May I take it from this answer that the Minister is, nevertheless, endeavouring to obtain the information and that it is only a question of waiting until it is available?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, certainly. I hope to have it in about three weeks.

Mr. Edward Evans

Is it not a fact that the benefits derived from the scheme may very well justify the cost?

23. Sir I. Fraser

asked the Minister of Health how many bone-conduction hearing aids have been distributed; and whether there are now enough to meet the known need.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Some hundreds of bone-conduction aids have been supplied to patients taking part in clinical trials. The bulk supply now on order should begin to reach distribution centres within the next few weeks, and I hope there will be enough to meet most, if not all, of the expected demand.

Mr. Edward Evans

Can the Minister say what is the anticipated demand for bone conduction aids?

Mr. Macleod

It is about 9,000 in England and Wales.