Mr. R. Duckworthasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the difficulty which faces civilian men and women who are old age pensioners in obtaining needed replacements of artificial limbs; and what assistance his Ministry is prepared to give to these people.
§ Mr. WillinkI am aware that some difficulty may be experienced in obtaining366W artificial limbs owing to the shortage of labour and supplies. I understand that so far as possible preference is given to war casualties and to persons whose capacity for employment is adversely affected by the absence of an artificial limb. So far as the question is one of cost, the provision of an artificial limb for a pensioner in need is a matter for the decision of the Public Assistance Authority and any such person should make application to the appropriate officer of the authority.