§ 24. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Health when he expects the transistor type of hearing aids to become available for distribution to children and adults, respectively.
§ Mr. Vosper:Field trials of the transistor hearing aid designed for the Medical Research Council are not yet completed and I cannot yet forecast when it will become available for distribution.
§ 25. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Health whether, when the transistor type hearing aids are put into general production, he will allow those who desire to do so to purchase them at cost price without awaiting general distribution to adults.
§ Mr. Vosper:I have no power to do so; and in any case I regard it as my duty to give priority to medical needs.