§ Mr. Whitlockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will agree that severely deaf adolescents who have been provided with special commercial hearing aids through the National Health Service while in full-time education shall continue to have replacements aids issued to them when in employment.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI am aware of the difficulties created by the present age restriction. Our aim is to extend the range of hearing aids available through the National Health Service to meet the needs of people of all ages, either by easing or removing the present age bar for the supply of commercial aids, by improving the standard National Health Service range or by a combination of both methods. While I am very conscious of the importance of the problem, I know my hon. Friend will appreciate that the speed with which further improvement can be made in provision must depend upon the availability of resources.