§ Mr. Alexander Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many firms in Scotland and England, respectively, make orthopaedic aids for handi- 426W capped children and adults; and what particular aid has the longest waiting time for delivery.
§ Mr. William RossTwenty-four firms in Scotland and 19 firms in England supply orthopaedic aids for use by handicapped persons in Scotland. Information is not readily available about the average delivery times for particular aids but in general, the more complex and sophisticated the aid, the longer the waiting time will be. Such aids include surgical footwear, hip appliances, full length calipers and spinal braces.
§ Mr. Alexander Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average waiting time for orthopaedic aids to walking and movement for handicapped children in Scotland; and from what firms.
§ Mr. William RossThis information is not readily available and could not be produced without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and effort. The maximum contractual delivery times for aids for handicapped persons, including children, are as follows:
Articles other than surgical footwear, hip appliances, full length calipers and spinal braces 4 weeks Surgical footwear, hip appliances, full length calipers and spinal braces 8 weeks Orders for first issue appliances and all orders for children's appliances are given priority.