HC Deb 11 March 1954 vol 524 cc2409-10
11 Mr. Peart

asked the Minister of Health if he will arrange for the setting up of an artificial limb-fitting centre at Carlisle to serve the needs of Cumberland.

12 Mr. Hargreaves

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the establishment of an artificial limb-fitting centre at Carlisle as a measure of decentralisation.

The Minister of Health (Mr, Iain Macleod)

I am considering this, but I am not sure that the amount of work would justify the additional money and manpower involved.

Mr. Peart

Will the Minister reconsider this matter, and will he bear in mind that the present arrangement causes considerable hardship in West Cumberland, where many of our limbless people have to travel long distances to Newcastle? If he can do something, it will be greatly appreciated.

Mr. Macleod

I am aware of the position. It does involve long and extremely difficult journeys from the Carlisle area to the Newcastle area, but the difficulty is that there are only about nine or 10 limb cases a week, and it is difficult to conceive a limb-fitting centre for a number of that sort. But I am considering this matter.

Mr. Simmons

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the limbless are very concerned about the facilities being given in out-of-the-way areas, that the old Ministry of Pensions was only a Cinderella Department, and that his Department is the blue-eyed boy of the Treasury? Could he not press for something to be done, and if he cannot get a regular centre open, could there not be one opened on one or two days a week?

Mr. Macleod

One of the sentences in that supplementary question would seem to be in conflict with some of the later Questions on the Order Paper. I am very much aware of the interest which B.L.E.S.M.A. has taken in the suggestion of a centre at Carlisle, and I am bearing its representations in mind.