§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the best possible breast prostheses are available following masectomy; if he is satisfied with the amount of research which has been undertaken and is being undertaken in this field; and if he is satisfied that the best available product for prosthesis is easily prescribable by consultants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungA wide range of breast prostheses of differing materials is available through the National Health Service. These items are obtained from
746W4. Means-tested benefits taken up in full. There is no entitlement to family income supplement at the levels of earnings quoted.
(5) Wife has no personal income—apart from child benefit—from earnings or social security benefits.
(6) No tax allowances apart from personal allowances.
(7) Income tax refunds not included.
The information relates only to the particular illustrative situations quoted and has no general applications and no validity if quoted out of context without stating the assumptions used.
Following is the table:
manufacturers both at home and abroad and consultants are free to prescribe the type of prosthesis which, in their clinical judgment, best suits the needs of their patients.
Much research has been undertaken and is continuing in several countries, and I am particularly pleased that current research in this country is resulting in a wider range of breast prostheses becoming available from United Kingdom manufacturers. This will reduce the demand for imported products.