HC Deb 13 February 1967 vol 741 cc88-90
19. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to replace invalid tricycles with specially adapted motor cars; and if he will seek to enable disabled people who want to purchase their adapted cars to do so.

30. Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now make a statement regarding the the provision of suitably converted cars to disabled drivers instead of the single-seater vehicles at present provided.

59. Mr. Fortescue

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now make a statement on his decision regarding the possibility of disabled people being issued with specially adapted cars rather than invalid tricycles, on payment of the difference in cost by the disabled person in each case.

Mr. Snow

I must ask hon. Members to await the Statement my right hon. Friend hopes to make later this week.

Mr. Roberts

Is my hon. Friend aware that I have been approached by several disabled citizens in my constituency who wish to congratulate the Government on the speed-up in the supply of these cars and the replacement of tricycles by cars? As the car is much superior to the tricycle in the sense that it is a family unit, will he give an indication of when it is likely that the tricycle will be completely replaced?

Mr. Snow

My hon. Friend had better await my right hon. Friend's statement later this week. I think that he will find many interesting things in that statement.

Mr. Brooks

I thank my hon. Friend for the assurance that at long last this Report is to be presented to the House. Is he aware, however, that any congratulations which may now be proffered to him will be speedily withdrawn if the Report does not provide invalid people with the opportunity of having the cars which they have for so long deserved?

Mr. Snow

I note what my hon. Friend says.

Mr. Fortescue

When making his statement, will the Minister bear in mind that paraplegics are becoming more reluctant, particularly in large cities, to sally forth in their one-seater cars because of their nervousness about the speed and amount of traffic on the roads, and will the hon. Gentleman urge his right hon. Friend to pay particular attention to this aspect of the problem?

Mr. Snow

My right hon. Friend's statement will be comprehensive.