HC Deb 13 June 1955 vol 542 cc243-5
2. Mr. Hale

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the fact that one firm making artificial limbs and surgical appliances for the disabled has withdrawn from the National Health Service supply giving as its reason a diminution in standards; and what regulations have been made and what advisory circulars issued linking the standards of manufacture or the expenditure on appliances for the disabled.

15. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Minister of Health what limitations were imposed upon the Brooks Appliance Company as a condition of its supplying rupture appliances under the National Health Service; and what reasons led to the breakdown of his negotiations with that company for continuing to supply appliances under the National Health Service.

Mr. Iain Macleod

No artificial limb maker has withdrawn from the National Health Service supply. The Brooks Appliance Company has terminated its contract to supply appliances through the Hospital Service without explanation. It has also withdrawn, on giving the required notice, from its contracts with executive councils to supply appliances on the prescription of general practitioners. No negotiations preceded its decision to withdraw. Under its contracts it was required to supply appliances conforming in specification and price to requirements laid down in the drug tariff.

Mr. Hale

Is the Minister aware that, whether it be true or not, the Brooks Appliance Company has suggested that its withdrawal is due to a diminution in the standards of artificial limbs as prescribed by the Ministry of Health? Surely he is aware of that fact. In the circumstances, is not the suggestion that he does not know the reason something in the nature of an irrelevant flippancy? When we read day by day of complaints from nurses of a diminution in the nursing service and that people can no longer get appliances where they could, does that not lead to a prima facie case of a diminution in standards?

Mr. Macleod

I do not accept any of that. The answer I have given is, as far as I know, correct on the information tendered to me. If this particular firm would like to produce to me or to my Department its reasons, we would be delighted to look into them, but no change has been made in these specifications since they were fixed in the 1953 drug tariff after a considerable period of consultations, including consultations with the firm to which the hon. Member has referred.

Mr. E. Fletcher

Has the Minister not seen the circular distributed by this company saying that the reason it has withdrawn from the National Health Service is that it was required by his Department to supply inferior trusses?

Mr. Macleod

I have not seen that particular circular, but I hope that the hon. Member will bring it to my notice. The firm in question has withdrawn, so far as I know, without giving any explanation at all to my Department.