§ 2. Mr. T. J. Brooksasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware of the delay in the supply of motor invalid chairs; and if he will endeavour to remedy this inconvenience to the invalids.
§ Mr. SimmonsI would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave in the House on 14th March to the hon. Member for Bridlington (Mr. Wood). The heavy increase in orders for motor-propelled tricycles since the introduction of the National Health Service has severely taxed the resources of the industry. Steps have been taken in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works to increase the output of contracting firms and to add to their number. Initial supplies of the new all-weather machines have already been made.
§ Mr. BrooksIs my hon. Friend aware that men have been waiting for these chairs for 15 to 18 months? If other Departments are now concerned in the issue of these vehicles, could there not be some arrangement with a view to increased manufacture? Does my hon. Friend realise the great hardship caused in spinal cases, and is he aware that a man who had his back broken in a pit has been waiting 18 months for a carriage? It is misery for such men who are waiting like this, and something should be done about it.
§ Mr. SimmonsWe are aware of the very greatly increased demand by people who were not entitled to this kind of vehicle before the introduction of the National Health Service scheme, which has made it very difficult to supply them as quickly as we would like. We are now in process of taking over the existing contracts for the supply of invalid vehicles from the Ministry of Works and are getting down to the job.