Hearing Aids

HC Deb 31 January 1966 vol 723 c677

47. Mr. Wood

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive a report from the working party on hearing aids.

Mr. K. Robinson

This is an informal advisory body which does not submit formal reports. Suggestions which it makes to me from time to time are carefully considered.

Mr. Wood

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask this body for urgent advice on a specific problem of which I know he is aware—the provision of hearing aids for those who are unable for various reasons to use the aids provided by the Health Service and who therefore have to pay for these aids because of their particular disability?

Mr. Robinson

I am glad to tell the right hon. Member that this is one of the matters which the working party considered at its last meeting and I am now considering the views it expressed on this matter. I shall, of course, at the same time have to consider relevant priorities between improvements in this respect and improvements elsewhere in the Health Service.