§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why his Department will supply support stockings on the National Health Service but not support-tights in view of the fact that over past years the wearing of stockings by women has been superseded by the wearing of tights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleSupport stockings and support tights are both available through the hospital service in cases where they are considered medically necessary. They do not give the same support as the surgical elastic hosiery available on NHS prescription, which, I am advised, meets the medical needs of most patients suffering from disorders of the leg veins. To make support tights available on prescription by general practitioners would involve substantial additional costs at a time when the resources available to the NHS are severely limited.