HC Deb 13 June 1955 vol 542 c247
8. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Minister of Health what action is being taken to increase the supply of bone-conduction hearing aids.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The demand for this type of aid is small, and I have no reason to think that current contracts will not meet the need.

Mr. Chetwynd

Although the demand is small, is there not a considerable delay in supplying those who can be fitted only with this kind of hearing aid? Will the Minister look into this matter again?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, there are certain local delays. As a matter of fact, I think that delays have occurred in Middlesbrough—which may have inspired the Question—but I believe that those have been largely overcome. For some unknown reason this type of hearing aid has been a great deal more popular in this area than in others.