§ 69. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation to ensure that no hearing aid shall be supplied without a doctor's prescription.
§ Mr. BraineNo.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health if, in addition to the free offer of a Medresco hearing-aid to National Health Service patients, he will make available a variety of post-aural aids.
§ Mr. BraineNo. I do not think the additional expenditure would be justified.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health if he will establish, under the National Health Service, hearing centres at which all the services at present provided by commercial centres may be offered.
§ Mr. BraineA full range of services is already available to National Health Service patients at hospital diagnostic clinics and hearing aid distribution centres.
160W
§ 70. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation to ensure that no hearing aid shall be fitted or sold by any person who has not passed examinations approved by the Minister to qualify him to give this service.
§ Mr. BraineNo.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health what is the average cost for each plastic ear mould supplied by the National Health Service; what is the estimated cost of the new skeletal mould; and if his policy is to make skeletal moulds available in due course.
§ Mr. BraineI understand that the retail price of skeletal moulds is about 3 to 4 guineas. My right hon. Friend is not considering making them available under the National Health Service. I cannot disclose contract prices, but plastic moulds are many times cheaper.