§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to permit pensioners in receipt of a State retirement pension to buy batteries for commercially produced and marketed hearing aids at a reduced price, of about 50 per cent. in the same way as they are already given a reduction in the cost of providing spectacles and dentistry.
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DHSS local office Total number of post cards Number of post cards received cleared still awaiting action Bradford St. 1,695 1,665 30 Edgbaston 2,933 2,235 698 Erdington 2,436 2,177 259 Handsworth 2,832 2,119 713 Ladywood 1,893 1,433 460 Northfield 2,669 2,291 378 Perry Barr 1,986 1,945 41 Ravenshurst 1,002 772 230 South Yardsley 2,484 2,444 40 Sparkhill 982 941 41 Washwood Heath 2,784 2,584 200
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe cost of spectacles and dentistry for retirement pensioners on low incomes is waived or reduced only in respect of services under the NHS, not for treatment or provision obtained privately. Where a retirement pensioner or other person is provided with hearing aids under the NHS, batteries and accessories are provided free of charge.