§ Mr. Neaveasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has completed his consideration of the advice he has received about research and development on artificial limbs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephYes. I am grateful to the expert advisers under the chairmanship of Professor Kay for their thorough and helpful report on the existing arrangements and the changes which might be made. In particular they recommend the creation of a new multi-disciplinary committee for Great Britain to keep under review research and development on artificial limbs and orthopædic appliances and to advise the Health Departments on priorities and how work in these fields can best be co-ordinated and advanced. This recommendation has been accepted by the Government. I am glad to say that Professor Kay has agreed to serve as the first chairman of the new committee and I am sure that its advice will be of great assistance in this important field.
The report included detailed aspects of management which make the complete document unsuitable for publication, but much of it is of general interest and will be made available together with a summary of the recommendations.