HC Deb 29 June 1976 vol 914 cc182-3
11. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Director-General of the proposed British National Institute for Hearing Research will commence his duties; what is the estimate of expenditure to be allocated to this institute in each of the next four years; what proportion of such expenditure will be borne directly by his Department and by the research councils; and if he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Alfred Morris)

I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that Professor Mark Haggard will take up his duties as Director of the Institute of Hearing Research on 1st January 1977.

I understand that costs cannot realistically be quantified until the director has formulated detailed proposals for consideration, but that the Medical Research Council envisages capital expenditure of up to £500,000 over the next three years, and running costs that may rise to £250,000 a year by 1980–81. My Department will make available funds for developing the service facilities that the National Health Service will provide in support of the institute's research. It is not yet possible to say how total expenditure will be shared between my Department and the council.

Mr. Pavitt

Does my hon. Friend recall that it has taken six years between the passing of his Act and the appointment of the Director for this development to take place? I congratulate my hon. Friend on the fact that, on his initiative and that of his right hon. Friend, at last this has now started to move. Will he ensure that there are regular progress reports, to make sure that this project continues to make rapid progress? Will he also ensure that there will be a name with "British National" attached to it and not just "The Institute"?

Mr. Morris

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I shall keep his point in mind. It will be my desire to report progress to the House. Our aim will be to get the institute off to the quickest possible start after the Director has taken up his appointment.

Mr. George Rodgers

How many of the new cosmetic hearing aids have been issued through the service?

Mr. Morris

At the latest available date, 113,000 of the new behind-the-ear hearing aids had been issued. Our programme is for the issue of 1 million of these new cosmetic hearing aids. We are proceeding at the fastest possible rate.

Mr. Marten

May we have six-monthly or annual reports from this institute—certainly regular reports?

Mr. Morris

It would be difficult for me to give a pledge about six-monthly or annual reports. I shall seek to let the House have information about progress at convenient dates, bearing in mind what the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend have said.