HC Deb 08 August 1966 vol 733 cc991-2
16. Mrs. Knight

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now consider revising the regulations governing the circumstances whereby the cost of converting vehicles to hand controls for war-disabled pensioners can be borne by his Department.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Charles Longhlin)

My right hon. Friend will be considering this matter in the course of his current review of our vehicle services for the disabled.

Mrs. Knight

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. While he is considering these matters, would he bear in mind also that the Minister of Transport forbids severely war-disabled pensioners to drive a car unless it has been converted to hand controls? Would he not agree that to base the permission for such conversion on whether the amputation is above the knee or two inches below is both mean and harsh?

Mr. Longhlin

I am not prepared to enter into dispute with the hon. Lady as to whether some of the regulations administered by the preceding Government were harsh or otherwise. All I can say is that we are considering the matter. The difficulty is that it involves a new principle but we will look at it while we are doing the whole job.

Mr. Braine

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that this is a reasonable request, bearing in mind that the last major review took place in the summer of 1964? Could he give some information about when the current review is likely to be presented to the House?

Mr. Loughlin

It may be a reasonable request and the last review may have taken place in 1964, but it did not include this matter. We will complete the review as quickly as possible; I am not prepared to go further than that today.