§ 17. Mr. Tinnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to improve the procedure for the delivery of centrally supplied vehicles ordered by hospital management committees through his Department in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe procedure is being discussed with the Ministry of Defence.
§ Mr. TinnI welcome my hon. Friend's reply. Will he look seriously into the complaints which I have sent to him about the length of time, sometimes more than 12 months, which hospital authorities have had to wait for vehicles, and the quality of workmanship of the vehicles when they are delivered?
§ Mr. EnnalsFor most vehicles there are no delays, and there are few difficulties in meeting orders of hospital authorities for standard cars and commercial vehicles. The delay has been for specialised coaches and commercial vehicles. We are looking into the points which my hon. Friend has made, and I will give him as full an answer as I can.