asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to introduce high-powered hearing aids; and when they will be available for National Health Service patients.

During the last 18 months the standard range of National Health Service aids has been extended by the introduction of a very high-powered body-worn aid and two series of behind the ear aids, one of very high power and the other of high power. NHS hearing aids should now meet the needs of all but a small minority of patients. In the few cases where they cannot be met adequately by an aid from the standard range, health authorities are able, where a consultant considers it necessary, to provide a commercial model to a National Health Service patient.