§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of hearing aids in the BE30 range and the BE50 range which have now been supplied by his Department; what is his estimate of the present shortfall of supply over demand; when next he expects to receive further deliveries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonOver 88,000 aids in the BE30 range and over 22,000 in the BE50 range have so far been issued to hearing aid centres in England since their introduction in 1980 and 1981 respectively. About 3,000 BE30 and 1,800 BE50 aids are issued each month. It is not yet clear what will be the size of total demand, but we hope to be able to find money within the Department's existing cash limits to increase supplies. Deliveries of hearing aids are made monthly by the manufacturers to the Department. We shall be keeping the position under review.