§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider introducing legislation to enable privately-owned hearing aids to be repaired at public expense and for replacement batteries to be issued free of charge where this essential aid is used by pensioners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephSuccessive Governments have maintained the view that it would be unjustifiable to use scarce resources to supplement the National Health Service provision in this way. I propose to follow the policy of extending the range of National Health Service aids as I announced on 9th July. —[Vol. 859, c. 1035–42.]