To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many hearing aids were provided free by each health authority in Wales in 1989, 1990 and 1991;(2) if he will list those health authorities in Wales which charge patients for the supply of replacement hearing aids when the original has been lost or mislaid.

This information is not held centrally.However, where hearing aids are supplied to patients on loan, the health authority has discretion to charge for the cost of replacement for lost equipment.