HC Deb 01 February 1945 vol 407 cc1643-4W
Major Braithwaite

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has yet received any recommendations from the Departmental Committee on Artificial Limbs.

Sir W. Womersley

Yes, Sir. I have received an interim report, which is appended. It recommends (i) the appointment forthwith of an officer to undertake research and development work, and (ii) the setting up of a standing Advisory Committee. I have accepted both recommendations, and Dr. A. W. J. Craft, whom I have selected for the research post, will shortly take up his new duties. The report states: The Committee submit for your consideration the following unanimous recommendations:

  1. (I) The formation at an early date of an experimental department, which in the Committee's view would be most suitably located at Roehampton; this department to be under the direction of a whole-time officer of suitable status possessing both medical and technical qualifications.
  2. (II) The appointment of a small standing committee to supervise and develop research and advise on improvements in artificial limbs; this advisory committee, membership of which should not be limited to Ministry of Pensions personnel, to work closely with the proposed experimental depaitfuent.
The Committee further wish to submit that if those two recommendations are accepted, a public announcement should be made; they attach importance to giving encouragement to members of the public to send in ideas and suggestions, and consider that it should be one of the functions of the research committee to receive and study such suggestions.