§ 38. Miss Herbisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why a constituent of the hon. Member for Lanarkshire, North had to wait four months for the replacement of a surgical boot, details of which case have been sent to him by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. MaclayI have explained to the hon. Lady in correspondence the reasons why a delay of this order is unfortunately unavoidable at present in non-urgent cases but that the hospital authorities are doing what they can to reduce waiting time.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the Secretary of State aware that the reply which he gave me by letter was not at all satisfactory? Can he tell the House what is considered urgent and not urgent in these matters? Is he aware that my constituent needed this surgical boot to enable him to carry out his work? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that to have to wait four months for a surgical boot is a disgrace?
§ Mr. MaclayI have great sympathy with the hon. Lady's feelings about this matter and I have been following it up to see what improvements can be made.