§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the implications of the intended closure in June of the Dundee operation of the artificial limb manufacturers Robert Kellie and Son Ltd. on the services provided by the limb-fitting centre in Broughty Ferry, Dundee; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythAlthough Robert Kellie and Son Ltd. formerly supplied all artificial lower limbs provided by the limb fitting centre in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, the firm declined to tender for the contract which started on 1 69W January 1989 and now supplies only conventional metal limbs (on sub-contract to the main supplier of lower limbs to the centre). These metal limbs are no longer prescribed for new amputees, who are fitted with modular limbs of a more modern design. Many other amputees are changing to modular limbs. But it is important that conventional metal limbs should be available for the diminishing number of patients who need them. Arrangements will therefore be made, before the intended closure of Robert Kellie and Son Ltd., to find another source of suitable limbs.