§ 20. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the plan of the Middlesex Health Committee to supply shoes to children fitted by experts to ensure they receive the right footwear; and whether, in view of the great amount of suffering in later life caused by ill-fitting shoes, he will recommend the extension of this plan to other authorities and urge on parents the importance of properly fitted shoes for their children.
§ Mr. BevanThough the Council's medical staff will undertake periodical inspection of the children's feet and footwear, I understand that the shoes will be supplied under arrangements made between parents and a private firm. The present scheme which is limited to a par-198W ticular part of the county is an experimental one, and the question of its extension will be considered when there has been reasonable experience of its working.