HC Deb 27 June 1966 vol 730 cc1219-21
33 and 34. Mr. Fortescue

asked the Minister of Health, (1) whether, in making his review this year of the question of vehicles for the disabled, he will seek to amend Section 3(1,b) of the National Health Service Act, 1946, so as to resolve any doubt that these vehicles can be supplied legally, without having to rely on a generous interpretation of the Act;

(2) whether, in making his review this year of the question of vehicles for the disabled, he will give favourable consideration to making regulations so that paraplegics may be provided with two-or four-seater cars with special controls, rather than with single-seater tricycles, the difference in cost between the car and the tricycle being met by the paraplegic; and if he will make a statement.

43. Mr. Sharples

asked the Minister of Health what progress he has made with his review of the conditions which have to be satisfied before an invalid vehicle can be issued; and if he will make a statement.

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

My right hon. Friend's review, which he hopes will be completed before the end of the year, will take into account all the representations that have been made to him, including the possibility of amending legislation, but I cannot at this stage forecast what the outcome will be.

Mr. Fortescue

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many paraplegics are deprived of their rights under this legislation because they are unable to face driving alone in one of these claustrophobic vehicles? Will he take into account my specific suggestion in Question No. 34—that if they pay the difference themselves, they should be able to have proper motor cars?

Mr. Loughlin

My right hon. Friend will take account of all the representations which have been made to us—and, of course, we have had representations on behalf of a number of categories of patient. While we will take account of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion, I cannot offer any hope that we shall introduce a new principle into the scheme—a new principle which may be more inequitable than the hon. Gentleman realises.

Mr. Sharples

Will the hon. Gentleman take account particularly of the needs of people who are unable to use public transport and, in considering whether to grant an extension in this direction, will he bear in mind the hard case which I referred to the Minister?

Mr. Loughlin

We are examining every aspect of this problem and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that when we report to the House, although we will not satisfy everybody, it will be a substantially improved scheme.

Mr. Braine

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we on this side of the House would wish him sympathetically to consider the proposal in Question No. 34? It would cost very little, but it would be a great boon to paraplegics. Does the review to which he has referred cover the possibility of the issue of vehicles to those who need transport to work and who are virtually immobilised by a condition other than a locomotive disability?

Mr. Loughlin

As I have said, we are examining every possibility, but I thought that it was essential that I did not convey the impression that we would necessarily accept the principle included in Question No. 34.

Mr. Evelyn King

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these vehicles are not only unpopular because they are single seaters, but are also entirely unreliable as I know, having spent many hours trying to start one by pushing it? Is he further aware that when a disabled person tries to help himself or herself by buying a vehicle out of his own funds, as is allowed under the regulations, the Ministry makes a profit of not less than £60 a year out of that person, a state of affairs which ought to cease?

Mr. Loughlin

I am not prepared to accept the hon. Gentleman's contention, because, while there may be individual vehicles which are unreliable, my Ministry goes to the nth degree to ensure that a patient is fully mobile as far as is humanly possible. I know from my own personal experience from patients I have met how invaluable these vehicles are to patients.