§ Mr. Conwayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action his Department takes to promote the use of British designed and manufactured aids to disability, and in particular the ORLAU walking aid system.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Department has supported the ORLAU research unit at Shrewsbury for more than 10 years. The swivel walker is listed in the MHM 50 Booklet for routine supply. The parawalker can now be supplied at seven special centres and approaching 150 patients have been fitted with these walking aids on the National Hearth Service. It is hoped to add the parawalker to the MHM 50 list in the near future.
We are arranging an independent evaluation of the ORLAU and Louisiana walking aids.