To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prosthetic shoes have been rebuilt by the NHS for patients following leg operations in 2009-10; how many companies manufacture such shoes under contract with the NHS; with which such companies the NHS is in dispute over the contract; and if he will make a statement. (313038)

Information on the number of prosthetic shoes is not collected centrally. There are four main prosthetic suppliers that provide clinical services and prosthetic components to the national health service within the United Kingdom and two others that supply prosthetic components only.

NHS contracts are agreed and managed locally, allowing organisations the ability to order direct or enter into contract with individual manufacturers and suppliers. Any contractual disputes will be resolved locally and central information about such issues are not collected.