HC Deb 17 November 1959 vol 613 c124W
Sir G. Wills

asked the Minister of Health what is the present situation with regard to the new light weight transistor hearing aids with which it is intended to replace the present Medresco aid; how many of these light weight aids have so far been distributed; and when he anticipates that all necessary replacements of existing Medresco aids will be completed.

Miss Pitt

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Members for Cardiff, West (Mr. G. Thomas), and Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) and the hon. and learned Member for Kettering (Mr. Mitchison) on 2nd November. Approximately 17,000 transistor hearing aids have so far been distributed to hearing aid centres in England and Wales. At this early stage of production of transistor hearing aids for the National Health Service, I cannot say when it will be possible to complete the replacement of Medresco valve aids by transistor aids.