§ Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Minister of Health whether he will authorise local authorities to make grants to young crippled persons for the purchase of mechanical chairs or other appliances necessary to enable them to undertake employment?
§ Mr. WillinkThere are no statutory powers under which I could give such general authority as my hon. Friend suggests. As regards tuberculous cripples, tuberculosis authorities have powers in relation to after-care which would enable them to provide appliances in appropriate cases. For certain appliances provision has been made by the Government through the Emergency Hospital Scheme, thus obviating the need for a grant by the local authority. Thus, under arrangements made by the Ministry of Pensions with Queen Mary's (Roehampton) Hospital, artificial limbs are supplied free in the case of persons injured by enemy action or when engaged on war service and on a 1409W contributory basis in other cases where the limb is required to enable employment to be undertaken. Other appliances required by those injured by enemy action or when on war service are supplied free. I will send my hon. Friend particulars of these arrangements.