§ 4. Mr. Gibsonasked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to increase immediately the number of invalid cars provided to over the present maximum of 2,000 and to provide that some shall be two-seaters in order that many deserving cases, which are now refused, can be accommodated.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe hon. Member appears to be confusing the provision of cars and the provision of power-propelled tricycles. The maximum number of cars, which are all four-seaters, has recently been raised to 2,100, and this should be adequate. There is no maximum number of tricycles; but as I have several times explained to the House, I am not satisfied that the additional costs of providing two-seater tricycles can be justified.
§ Mr. GibsonMight I assure the Minister that I know the difference between tricycles and cars? I am very glad to hear that the maximum has been increased by 100, but that will not help the situation. I have here a whole batch of terrible cases from various parts of the country concerning men and women who are complaining that they cannot get out together. Will the Minister have another look at the matter and, in spite of the pressure for economy, give this very 662 small group of people a little more hope than they have at the moment of being able to live normal human lives?
§ Mr. MacleodI am sorry, but I really think that the hon. Member is confused between these two. It is either that or a dastardly attack on the Welfare State. He is suggesting that a number of four-seater cars should be converted into two-seaters. The relaxation of the rules which was the subject of an undertaking given to the House by my right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford (Sir Winston Churchill) when he was Prime Minister has been covered by the present relaxation and by the increase which I have mentioned. I have previously answered in the House the question about tricycles being made two-seaters, a step which I do not feel justified in taking.