§ 29. Sir J. Smythasked the Minister of Health when he will have completed his review of the possibility of replacing the present single-seater invalid tricycles by larger and more suitable vehicles; and whether he will then make a statement.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Edith Pitt)I cannot yet say when my right hon. and learned Friend's review will be completed, but as soon as it is he will make a statement.
§ Sir J. SmythWe shall, of course, await the Minister's review with patience and great interest, but may I ask my hon. Friend to impress on the Minister that there seems to be a paramount factor in this problem? It is that at present, in the crowded and dangerous condition of our roads, the last people who ought to be made to travel alone are the paralysed, the gravely disabled and those who have lost the power of their limbs? Will the Minister put that matter at the very head of his consideration in making his review?
§ Miss PittYes, but I must make clear to my hon. and gallant Friend that the promise made about cars—which evidently is in his mind—related to war pensioners. I should add that the review means that we are considering commercial vehicles and some of the things like the Isetta, the Bond and the Scootacar, which ex-Service men's organisations undertook to consider for trials and on which they have not yet reported.
§ Dr. KingIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, while the Invalid Tricycles Association appreciates tremendously the benefits the Minister has conferred on its members, not only the happiness but also the health and safety of the crippled, to whom mechanical transport is the only means of conveyance, are involved in the inquiry? Will the most earnest consideration be given to the claims of those cripples?
§ Miss PittYes, all these things will be taken into consideration in the review which is taking place at present.
§ Sir J. SmythWill the Minister realise that it will give great satisfaction to the war-disabled who now have single-seater tricycles to have them replaced by some form of small car, but it will be very disappointing if civilian disabled with exactly the same disability are left with these unsuitable vehicles?
§ Miss PittI take the point, and I do not wish to sound unsympathetic, but I have said before in this House and must repeat that there is no power in the National Health Service Act to enable my right hon. and learned Friend to provide two-seater vehicles.