§ 83. Mr. Houghtonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that hearing aids now being issued from the Bradford distribution centre relate to applications made in February, 1949; to what extent this state of arrears is common to the country as a whole; and what steps he is taking to shorten the long wait of deaf people for this appliance.
§ Mr. CrookshankWhile there are some centres like this where, because of the very heavy demand, patients who applied in 1949 are still waiting, many are in a much better position than this. Supplies have recently been increased to centres with the longest waiting lists.
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§ 86. Mr. Houghtonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that hearing aids now being issued from the Leeds distribution centre relate to applications made in 1948; and how long he expects it to be before the 2,000 persons now waiting for hearing aids from this centre are supplied.
§ Mr. CrookshankYes. It is not possible to estimate when the present waiting list will be cleared, but the recent reallocation of supplies should help to reduce it.
§ 92. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Health how many Medresco hearing aids are now being produced each month.
§ Mr. CrookshankThe average monthly delivery by manufacturers in 1951–52 to date is 10,200 compared with 7,750 in 1950–51.