§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research he is sponsoring into the development of portable renal dialysis units which would be cheaper to produce and run than those currently in use; and if he will make a study of the claims of the Lucas Aerospace workers that such units are a practical possibility, and would lead to savings both in production and running costs.
§ Mr. MoyleNone, but a portable renal dialysis unit is undergoing clinical trials. It would be inappropriate to compare the costs of a portable machine designed for short-term use with conventional units designed for long-term use. I have no information about proposals in this field by Lucas Aerospace and any units produced by it would be in competition with other units available.