§ 36. Mr. Simmonsasked the Minister of Health if he will state the date of the establishment of his Department of Research and Experiment for the improvement of artificial limbs and appurtenances, and list the major improvements approved for general issue to limbless persons since that date; when the last report was issued by his Standing Advisory Committee on Artificial Limbs; and when the next report may be expected.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganI understand that a medical officer for research was first appointed in 1945. The Standing Advisory Committee ceased making 852 formal reports after 1951, but I am considering the form in which information about developments might be published in future. It will take a little time to prepare the list which the hon. Member has asked for and I will send it to him as soon as possible.
§ Mr. SimmonsThe Minister states that this was started in 1945, but that was long before the merger. My purpose is to find out what his Ministry has done for the limbless disabled since he has been in control. Why was the practice of issuing the report of the Standing Advisory Committee on Artificial Limbs discontinued? Surely disabled men have the right to know what is being done on their behalf? That Report gave them that information.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganI understand that, as far as can be ascertained, this was discontinued because the information was already available in other forms. I take it that the hon. Member is interested in this matter from the point of view of B.L.E.S.M.A., from whom I recently saw a delegation. I have promised to write to them about the points that they raised, and I hope to be able to make better arrangements for giving them information about research developments.
§ Mr. SimmonsI am interested not only in connection with B.L.E.S.M.A. but with all limbless people, whether they are ex-Service men or civilians. I hope that the Minister will realise that.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganIf there are any other bodies whom the hon. Member thinks I should notify, I will do so.