§ 64. Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the responses made by health boards to the circular issued on 7 March 1983 concerning the removal of cardiac pacemakers after death; what is the cost of the removal of such a pacemaker; and if he will initiate an inquiry into the charges being made.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe circular referred to by the hon. Member was intended to give guidance about the circumstances in which cardiac pacemakers should be removed from deceased persons and the procedures to be followed. It did not invite responses from health boards and no responses have been received, although there have been one or two inquiries about the terms of the circular. I have no information about the cost of removing a cardiac pacemaker, but the procedure is a simple one and the cost should not be great. I see no need for an inquiry into the charges being made.