§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which agency monitors the provision of insurance on hearing aids for children and young people; and what plans there are to change the present arrangement;
(2) if he will list the conditions under which children and young people are entitled to be provided with the most appropriate hearing aid whether or not this is part of the national health service range of hearing aids;
302W(3) which agency is responsible for monitoring the provision and maintenance of hearing aids for (a) pre-school children, (b) children at school and (c) young people aged 16 years and above who are in full-time education; and what plans there are to change the present arrangement.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 21 February 1994]: Hearing aids are available under the national health service for anyone who needs one. It is for the clinician concerned to decide which aid is most appropriate in each case, whether it is from the standard range or purchased by hearing aid centres from a commercial source. As hearing aids are provided on loan there is no requirement for the patient, or in the case of a child under 16 the child's parent, to insure the device. We have no plans to change these arrangements.