§ Mr. Barterasked the Minister of Health what was the total annual cost of supplying Medresco hearing aids for the years 1958 and 1959, including the cost of hospital testing and fitting services; and what was the quantity and cost of the aids only, as separate figures.
§ Mr. Powell:The number of hearing aids supplied in England and Wales during the financial years 1958–59 and 1959–60 was 183,835 and 166,697 respectively. The cost of the aids, including repairs to those which were re-issued, was £629,000 for 1958–59 and £535,000 for 1959–60. I regret that the cost of hospital testing and fitting services is not separately available.