§ 23. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the service now being given to the users of his Department's invalid chairs; and what complaints he has received about the spare motor tricycles for loan to patients in the St. Helens area since amending his Department's list of officially-approved repairers in that area.
§ Miss PittI assume that the hon. Member refers to the repair service and about that my right hon. and learned Friend is generally satisfied, although there has recently been some delay in replacing non-motorised chairs because of production difficulties. We have had no recent complaints about the spare tricycles.
§ Mr. SpriggsIs the hon. Lady aware that I have recently received complaints from users of these invalid chairs? There have been some delays of about seven weeks, and invalids have had to pay taxi fares and even lose work. Will she do her best to try to rectify these delays?
§ Miss PittWe most certainly do that. We regard it as important that the repair service should provide an immediate service for those who use the tricycles. There has been a change-over in the hon. Gentleman's area, as he will be aware from correspondence, but we are advised that the newly appointed repairers are giving good service, and we in the Department have had no complaints.
§ 37. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Health why he issued instructions to Jones' Garage, St. Helens, Lancashire, to purchase stocks of spare parts for the repair of his Department's invalid chairs.
§ Miss PittSo that satisfactory facilities could be available for the quick repair of invalid tricycles.
§ Mr. SpriggsWhy should the Ministry be used to compel small businessmen to invest capital in spare parts to be used for repairs to machines the use of which may take weeks or months to sanction? Is she aware that the action of the Ministry placed my constituent in a difficulty and practically put him out of business? Are the Ministry prepared to compensate this gentleman?
§ Miss PittIn respect of an earlier Question, the hon. Member and I agreed that it was essential to give good service to tricycle owners. We ask the repairers to agree to hold small stocks of a few spare parts which are not readily available. The repairer to whom the hon. Gentleman has referred was asked to keep in stock some small items of a total cost to him of£16. This he refused to do, and he was the only repairer who refused to hold such stocks.
§ Mr. SpriggsIn view of that most unsatisfactory reply, I wish to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.