HC Deb 24 October 1966 vol 734 cc613-4
3. Mr. Winnick

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to relax existing regulations so as to enable all those severely disabled to have some kind of motor vehicle, if they so require.

Mr. Loughlin

I would refer by hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Members for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Fortescue) and Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Sharples) on 27th June last.

Mr. Winnick

While I am pleased that the review is taking place, may I ask the Minister whether he does not agree that every single step should be taken as quickly as possible to make life more bearable for the severely disabled? Could he say when the results of the review will be announced? How much longer must we wait?

Mr. Loughlin

I do not want my hon. Friend to get excited about this. I have promised that my right hon. Friend would get this review through as quickly as possible, and certainly by the end of this year. That is what I have promised to do.

Mr. Braine

The Parliamentary Secretary will recall that he has made that promise on a number of occasions. Will the review be presented to the House before the end of the year, and will the House have an opportunity of debating it?

Mr. Loughlin

I have said all along that we hope to get this review by the end of this year. Progress is as good as we could hope, and it will be done before the end of the year.