§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will seek powers to exercise supervision over the quality of privately supplied hearing aids;
(2) if he will seek powers to set up within his Department a machinery for investigating complaints as to the quality of privately supplied hearing aids.
§ Mr. RidleyI have been asked to reply.
The present range of hearing aids made available under the National Health Service meets the clinical needs of all but a 509W small minority of those able to benefit from an aid. So far as the quality of privately supplied hearing aids is concerned, I do not have reason to believe that any question of damage to health arises. If, however, the hon. Gentleman has any particular point in mind and would write to me, I would gladly look into the question.