§ 16. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the 1,600 four-wheeled cars have now been granted to disabled drivers under the categories announced in March 1967.
§ Dr. John Dunwoody258 applications have been received, of which 200 have succeeded.
§ Mr. MartenIs this not an extraordinarily small number of vehicles issued? What is the reason for this? Does it mean that the Ministry has got this figure of 1,600 four-wheelers which might have been issued wrong?
§ Dr. DunwoodyCertainly the number of applications received, and, conse- 904 quently, the number of vehicles issued, is less than was anticipated by my Department. It is difficult to forecast the demand. In 1964 when we estimated that 80 families would benefit from an extension of the service, there were, in fact, 663 successful applications.
§ 17. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average difference in the cost to public funds over a period of six years between the cost of a three-wheeled and a four-wheeled car for disabled drivers, including capital cost, modifications, repairs, maintenance and other normal expenses.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyBased on the financial years 1963–69 for England and Wales a four-wheeled car for disabled drivers costs £28 10s. more per vehicle, per year, than a three-wheeled car.
§ Mr. MartenIs not this sum, the difference between the two—the three and the four-wheeler—absolutely minute? Would it not be more sensible for the Government to issue four-wheelers to disabled drivers throughout?
§ Dr. DunwoodyI do not think this figure is absolutely minute. After all, this difference is continued year after year. Many of these vehicles last for five, six and seven years, and it represents a significant sum, particularly when one considers the cost of the service as a whole.
As to providing four-wheeled vehicles throughout, there are a considerable number of disabled people who cannot use four-wheeled vehicles, and there will always be a considerable demand for three-wheelers such as we have at present.
§ Mr. DeanDoes not the answer to these Questions suggest that the Government ought to be looking again at the categories and the criteria for these vehicles?
§ Dr. DunwoodyIn the last few weeks I have instituted within my Department an inquiry into the possible consequences in terms of the cost and benefit to the community of extensions to the service. I would not like to go further than that at this stage.