§ 26. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now authorise mini-cars rather than invalid tricycles to be issued to disabled drivers in rural areas who are working several miles away from their home address.
§ Mr. NobleNo, Sir. The provision of mini-cars, for patients other than war pensioners would probably require legislation and I could not give it priority over other improvements in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. BrewisWill my right hon. Friend take into account the fact that these invalid tricycles have neither a heating system nor a spare wheel? It may be all right in urban areas, where assistance can be easily obtained, but on a remote country road a disabled driver who has a puncture may almost die of cold before assistance reaches him.
§ Mr. NobleI will certainly take note of what my hon. Friend says. We are continually trying to improve these tricycles, and have been making efforts 978 recently to try to improve the provision of spare parts, such as spare tyres, in various rural areas.