§ 49. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Health if he will consider providing free of charge repairs and replacements for hearing aids purchased privately.
§ Mr. SpriggsIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that many old-age pensioners have purchased their own hearing aids? Most of them have done this out of a sense of loyalty, rather to help the Health Service than to hit it or to add to the expenditure, as we have seen in the National Health Service Report. Will the hon. Lady speak to her right hon. Friend to see whether it is possible to help these people, particularly old-age pensioners who have purchased sets, with replacements or repairs which are required?
§ Miss PittThe hon. Member will appreciate that it would be virtually impossible for us to stock all the components necessary to provide for replacements or to repair hearing aids purchased privately.
§ Mr. SpriggsIn view of that unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.