HC Deb 02 March 1959 vol 601 cc5-6
5. Mr. Simmons

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the numbers of double below-knee amputee war pen- sioners who have been provided with motor-propelled tricycles at State expense; and whether he will now grant direct entitlement to means of transport to all war pensioners who have lost both legs below knees.

Mr. R. Thompson

One hundred and fourteen in England and Wales have power-propelled tricycles and in addition 10 have cars provided, six receive a private car maintenance allowance, and a few have received car conversion grants instead of a tricycle. On the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 12th May, 1958.

Mr. Simmons

Is the Minister aware that a man with an above-knee amputation can get a motor car, although men with two legs amputated below the knee cannot even get a motor-propelled tricycle? Is not this unfair, and will not the Minister look into the question again?

Mr. Thompson

This matter has received much consideration. Automatic eligibility for all double below-knee amputations is not justifiable, since many such men cannot be said to have almost totally lost the use of their legs, or even to have their walking ability so restricted as to qualify them for machines for employment purposes.

Dr. Summerskill

Will not the hon. Gentleman look into this question again? Does he realise that these men who have had a double amputation below the knee are now getting older, and that during the years since the war extra strain has been thrown upon their healthy limbs and joints? We cannot look at this question, put now, as we might have looked at it when put immediately after the war. We should be more sympathetic as the years go on. Further, the number of these men must be very small, and must decrease over the years.

Mr. Thompson

I take the point raised by the right hon. Lady. We have kept this matter under continuous review, but the question of producing a new class or standard of eligibility is not one that we have been able to accept up till now.