HC Deb 12 February 1968 vol 758 cc947-8
48. Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Technology why he has approved an increase of 50 per cent. in the price of hearing aid batteries without first referring the matter to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Dr. Bray

The hon. Member will know that the question has now been referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes for examination.

Mr. Burden

Why did the Government take so long, having had early warning of the rise of 50 per cent. in hearing aid batteries? Would the hon. Gentleman be surprised to hear that the implication in a letter from the Prices and Incomes Board was that it had been condoned and agreed to by the Government?

Dr. Bray

References are not made lightly. I would urge the hon. Member to await the report of the Prices and Incomes Board.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I wrote to the President of the Broad of Trade about this matter, on 12th January, and am still waiting for a reply, in spite of the fact that an announcement has been made publicly? Is it not rather discourteous to keep me waiting for so long?

Dr. Bray

The hon. Gentleman perhaps knows that it is this Department, not the Board of Trade, which is responsible in this case. He will appreciate that the question was dealt with by my right hon. Friend only last week.

Mr. Marks

is my hon. Friend aware that since his right hon. Friend announced that this had been referred to the Prices and Incomes Board, his industrial policy division has written to constituents who inquired telling them that after examination these proposed price increases were considered to be "not inconsistent" with the Government's prices policy? Will my hon. Friend correct this statement, and instruct his officials to avoid the use of double negatives when dealing with the public?

Dr. Bray

If my hon. Friend will let me have a copy of the letter, I shall examine it.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

As a user of these batteries, may I ask the Minister whether he will consider having consultations with the industry and the Ministry of Health to see whether we can undo the fixation in the Ministry of Health with the Medresco model? If this were to happen we might be able to keep the price of both hearing aids and batteries.

Dr. Bray

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's interest in this, and I am sure that he will pursue it with the Ministry of Health.