§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the availability of the myoelectric hand for children in Scotland.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart:The report on the trial of the Swedish myoelectric hand for young children was published recently by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. Part of the evaluation of the trial was carried out at Princess Margaret Rose orthopaedic hospital in Edinburgh; and in line with the recommendations of the report, it has been decided that the children in Scotland supplied with hands during the trial should 55W continue to be fitted with this type of prosthesis—being supplied with larger-sized devices as they grow older. Following the same assessment as was carried out during the trial, other young children who seem likely to benefit from this form of prosthesis will also be considered for supply.