HC Deb 03 June 1957 vol 571 cc887-9
44. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Health for what purpose Mr. L. C. Hitchcock, of Hillingdon Heath, was required to attend at Ealing for steering tests on two vehicles when one was a petrol all-weather machine with a type of steering which previously had been agreed as unsuitable and the other was an obsolete vehicle with a type of steering which Mr. Hitchcock had managed for the past seven years.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

Mr. Hitchcock now has an old electric tricycle with centre tiller steering. He has asked for either an all-weather electric machine or a petrol machine and the object of the test was to see whether he could in fact manage a petrol-driven machine either with standard controls or the special controls which he has been accustomed to use on the electric tricycle.

Mr. Beswick

In view of the fact that this invalid himself said that he could not manage a machine with the old controls and in view of the fact that I wrote specifically on this point and received an assurance from the Minister that he would not be tested on the old type of controls, may I ask what was the purpose of getting him to go all the way to Ealing simply in order to test him on a machine which he knew he could not operate and on a machine which he had had for seven years and he knew very well he could operate?

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

There were two issues. The first was whether he should have a petrol machine or an electric-driven machine. The second was whether he should have the centre tiller steering or the other kind of tiller steering. The object of the test was to see which would suit his particular needs. We have not yet any all-weather electric machines with centre tiller steering, which is what he needs, but we hope that production will start soon.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Would my hon. Friend look into the whole question of self-propelled tricycles and vehicles? Many of these are not only old but out of date and quite unsuitable for modern-day purposes.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

We are now starting to replace them.

45. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Health why Mr. L. C. Hitchcock, of Hillingdon Heath, was informed by letter that he would be able to examine and try various transit chairs if he visited the appliance centre at Ealing, but was informed, on visiting Ealing, that it would be necessary for an officer to visit Mr. Hitchcock at his place of employment in order to discuss the matter.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

I understand that Mr. Hitchcock was told that our officers would discuss the question of his transit chair when he was visiting the Appliance Centre on another matter. But it was then found necessary for a technical officer to see the conditions under which it was used so that he could judge the most suitable model.

Mr. Beswick

Again I ask why it was necessary for this invalid person to have to make the journey to Ealing in order to be told that? Was it not known before he made the journey?

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

The point is that he has two types of chair, one for use at home and one for use at work which he wants to change to a different type. It was in order to see which was the most appropriate type that the inquiry had to take place at his place of work.

46. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Health how many visits have been paid by various officers of his Department to Mr. L. C. Hitchcock, of Hillingdon Heath, both at his home and his place of employment, for the purpose of repairing his old electric tricycle; whether the machine is now considered to be in a roadworthy condition; when the old machine is to be replaced; and with what type.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

I have no record of the number of visits by the Department's officers or by approved repairers. The machine was made fully roadworthy on 30th April. My right hon. Friend will consider replacing it when the new all-weather electric tricycles with centre-tiller steering become available.

Mr. Beswick

In view of the fact that there has been a most extraordinary delay and a good deal of unkindness to this invalid person, and in view of the fact that he has been criticised because he has written to his Member of Parliament about his difficulties, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest possible opportunity on the Adjournment.