§ 73. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking in connection with the shortage of repair parts for Medresco hearing aids and whether he will make a statement.
§ 75. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Health whether he will improve the distribution of repair parts and batteries for Medresco hearing aids at Stockton-on-Tees; and when the new transistor aid will be available for general distribution.
§ 78. Mr. Mitchisonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a shortage of leads for Medresco hearing aids at Kettering, and a list of about eighty people waiting for them; and whether he will take immediate steps to make a supply available there and in Rothwell.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThere have recently been shortages of some repair parts for Medresco valve hearing aids, but I am not aware of any shortage of batteries. The shortages arose primarily from production difficulties. I have taken steps with the assistance of my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General to increase supplies, and deliveries are now adequate except of receiver leads. These are being distributed to hearing-aid centres as equitably as possible, and I hope that full supplies will be available soon.
With regard to the issue of transistor aids, these are already being supplied to children and I hope to begin supplying them to adults next spring.