§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that no provision exists in his regulations to compel next of kin to return to the National Health Service wheelchairs and tricycles after the death of the patient to whom they were issued, he will state the authority under which an annual check is carried out to try to ensure the recovery of wheelchairs and tricycles which are no 207W longer required; how many such conveyances were recovered during 1955; and what was their total value.
§ Mr. TurtonI check these vehicles as their owner. As regards the last two parts of the Question, the computation of numbers and values would involve lengthy and extensive administrative inquiries, which in the circumstances are not justified. I am satisfied that the procedure we adopt is effective.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that no information is available as to the annual cost to the public of hearing aids, invalid tricycles, and wheelchairs, false limbs, etc., which are written off annually by the National Health Service owing to the death of the patients to whom they were issued, he will now amend his regulations so as to ensure that, in the public interest, detailed records and accounts are kept of all such wastages, with a view to eliminating them.
§ Mr. TurtonI am not convinced of the advantage of the suggested amendment.