HC Deb 10 April 1972 vol 834 c130W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report his estimate of the number of children fitted with gas-powered arms in each of the limb fitting centres in England and Wales during 1971; what was the average quantity of gas equivalent supplied to them in terms of gram cylinders of gas per week, and the number of cylinders so used per day; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alison

Two children were fitted with gas-powered arms for the first time during 1971, one at Roehampton Limb Fitting Centre and one at Chailey Heritage Hospital. At the end of the year 20 patients under 18 years of age were using these arms—12 at Roehampton, six at Chailey Heritage and two at Mary Marlborough Lodge, Oxford—and the total amount of gas supplied to them average 2,800 grams per week. As various sizes of cylinder were in use at different periods of the year, an expression of gas consumption in terms of numbers of cylinders used per day would not be meaningful.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the number of limb deficient children aged 14 years or less, resident in England and Wales, the number of such children who were supplied with one or more new artificial arms in 1971, the number supplied in each limb fitting centre, and the number of such limbs which were gas-powered; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alison

Information about the supply of prostheses to arm-deficient children in 1971 is being assembled and I will write to the hon. Member when it is available. It will not however be possible without disproportionate effort to provide figures other than for children up to18 years of age.

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