asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that an ex-Service man requiring a new socket for an artificial limb had a fitting at Portsmouth three months ago; that he has been told to attend again in July, and will have to wait four or five months after that for the final fitting; and whether, in view of the distress caused by such delay, he proposes to take any measures to expedite repairs and the provision of new artificial limbs.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to Mr. G. H. Smith. I am sorry that there has been delay in providing Mr. Smith with a new socket for his artificial limb. He attended for fitting on 30th June and the limb should be available for his use in about a fortnight's time. In the meantime, his duplicate limb has been made serviceable. On the general position of repairs, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave in the House on 4th April to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Selkirk (Mr. Macdonald).