§ 40. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Pensions when Mr. P. H. Titchen, Ordnance House, London Road, Pitsea, will be issued with a wheeled chair for which he was recommended in December, 1950.
§ Mr. IsaacsA hand-propelled chair was delivered to Mr. Titchen on 28th June, but unfortunately he feels that he is unable to manage it. He is 78 years of age. One of my technical experts is visiting him this week to see how his special needs can best be met.
§ Mr. BraineI appreciate the Minister's answer, but would he not agree that an inordinate delay to a man aged 78 is likely to cause greater distress than it would to a younger person? Since this chair was first recommended a long time ago, could he not impress upon his officials the need for more efficient and expeditious handling of the matter?
§ Mr. IsaacsI assure the hon. Member that my officials have done their best to expedite it. The whole matter is governed by the supply situation. Such a great number of these vehicles have been issued lately to pensioners that for the time being we have outrun the capacity of the factories.