HC Deb 08 April 1971 vol 815 c304W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the total cost, direct and indirect of running the Medical Research Council Unit at Hendon for the production of myo-electric arms; when the unit was established; how many arms have been produced; how many have been given clinical trials; how many have been practically fitted; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs. Thatcher

The total cost of running the M.R.C. Powered Limbs Unit at Hendon since its establishment in 1967 is some £155,700. The unit's work on the development of a gas-powered upper arm prosthesis (the Hendon Arm) is now at the prototype stage and is currently being evaluated by a working party set up for this purpose by the Council. Six children will be fitted with the arms for clinical trials. The working party is expected to report next year.