§ 4. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health how many surgical abdominal supports were issued in 1951 for the six months June to December: and how many in 1952 during the comparable period.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe figures for England and Wales for the six months ended 31st December in each year are 52,435 and 29,549 respectively, including all types of belts.
§ Dr. StrossWill the Minister agree that that is a very remarkable fall in numbers? In view of his past statements about reviewing the effect of deterrents upon the whole of the service, will he not now reconsider the question of whether these abdominal supports should be issued free of charge?
§ Mr. MacleodI certainly studied the deterrent effect of all charges with the greatest care. This certainly is a very considerable fall, but in the six months before the charges were introduced a marked decline was shown, although I agree it was nothing like that of the six months following the charge.