§ Mr. RAMSDENasked the Pensions Minister what are his reasons for refusing to supply a duplicate set of limbs to officers and men who have been amputated above or below the knee, as this attitude causes hardship to the men concerned, as artificial limbs frequently want repairing, which necessitates the men staying in bed, and thereby breaking time until such time as the limbs are repaired, and causing dissatisfaction to the men's employer, owing to the time which is so frequently broken, and acts as a deterrent to the men obtaining work?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThere has been no refusal such as is suggested in the question. On the contrary, the principle is fully recognised that every officer or man who has lost a limb in the War should be supplied with a duplicate artificial limb for use when the first artificial limb is in need of repair. The systematic issue of the duplicate limb was commenced in October last, when the supply of the first artificial limb to the 42,000 officers and men concerned was approaching completion, and it is making good progress.