§ 1. Mr. WigleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his estimate of the numbers of hearing aid dispensers making use of home visits to sell hearing aids.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry and Consumer Affairs (Mr. Eric Forth)I understand that some 80,000 hearing aids a year are dispensed by the private sector. There are no statistics available to indicate what proportion of those are as a result of a home visit, but it is likely that a significant proportion will have involved a call by a hearing aid dispenser.
§ Mr. WigleyDoes the Minister accept that although the vast majority of visits arranged and made by private companies are perfectly reputable and of a high standard, a significant minority of those selling private hearing aids use disreputable tactics and make home visits that are neither wanted nor acceptable to the patient? Will the Government make a statement to the effect that they believe that there should be no home visits to people needing hearing aids unless they are requested by the patient?
§ Mr. ForthI recognise the hon. Gentleman's point and it has come up frequently, especially recently, as we have been considering a Bill which will be in Committee shortly. The number of complaints received, for example, by the Hearing Aid Council, which is responsible for such matters and to which such complaints should be made, is running at about 70 per year and the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, which has recently given us its latest figures, has recorded about 260 complaints in the past four months covering all matters to do with hearing aids. We recognise that there may be a problem, but the correct course for individuals who have been adversely affected is to raise the matter with the Hearing Aid Council, which then has responsibility for dealing with it and, so far as we know, is prepared and able to deal with such matters effectively.
§ Ms. QuinDoes the Minister agree that in view of the unfortunate examples which have occurred there is good reason to consider tightening up the code of practice of the Hearing Aid Council and increasing the number of consumers on the council to ensure that people who need hearing aids are able to obtain them in the best conditions and at the best price possible?
§ Mr. ForthI congratulate the hon. Lady on her appointment and on her debut at the Dispatch Box. I look forward to seeing and listening to her in future. I acknowledge that this is an important matter, but I can only repeat what I said to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley). The effectiveness of the code of practice is the responsibility of the Hearing Aid Council which, so far as we are aware, has always been able and prepared to review the code of practice and when necessary, to change it. The hon. Lady will also be aware that a private Member's Bill—the Hearing Aid Council (Amendment) Bill—will shortly be in Committee. I have had dealings with the promoter of that Bill, the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Jones). We shall seek, with him, to produce the best possible Bill which will bring us up to date in these matters and allow us to have the most effective and representative council. On the basis of conversations so far, I am optimistic that we shall be able to achieve that objective.