HC Deb 16 March 1971 vol 813 cc1162-4
3. Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the provision of vehicles for the disabled.

Mr. Alison

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 2nd February, 1971.—[Vol. 810, c. 299.]

Mr. Morris

Does the hon. Member recall the Prime Minister's meeting at Bexley with the Haemophilia Society earlier this year? Can he say what progress has been made arising from that meeting? Will he agree to present the House with comparative figures of the costs of providing a four-wheeled vehicle for those disabled people who need it?

Mr. Alison

I will certainly consider the latter point when the time comes to publish to the House our proposals for developing the service. As to the first part of the question, I recall the deputation from the Haemophilia Society to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. Following that up, the deputation came to see me at the Department of Health last week, and we had a fruitful exchange.

Sir R. Cary

Is my hon. Friend aware that a number of disabled people cannot drive themselves and have no person in their own homes who can drive them? In those circumstances, could a plea be made to the Chancellor so that such a disabled person could be given a small grant or allowance with which to hire a motor car?

Mr. Alison

That point is really beyond the scope of any reply that I can give. No doubt my right hon. Friend will note the suggestion.

Mr. Carter-Jones

Would the hon. Gentleman consider reliability trials of three-wheeled vehicles, as distinct from mass-produced four-wheeled vehicles? Would he not agree that the four-wheeled vehicle, which is reliable, allows a second person to ride in it, and the disabled person is then not left in such isolation?

Mr. Alison

There have been reliability trials. The Which? report gave a very good rating to our Departmental three-wheelers. Hon. Gentlemen will know that if three-wheelers do break down during the course of repair a substitute three-wheeler is made available.

Mr. Marten

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of us on all sides of the House have been pressing the case of disabled drivers and disabled passengers for a long time? Is he further aware that we look forward with great interest and hope to his statement in the spring? In the meantime will he bear in mind that we also look forward, as some yardstick of what is to come, to the Budget and hope that there will be some relief for the disabled in that?

Mr. Alison

While I am not able to comment on the latter part of my hon. Friend's observations, I assure him that I am pursuing this review with enthusiasm and, I believe, with optimism.

Mr. J. T. Price

When the hon. Gentleman is considering the statement that he hopes to make, will he pay special attention to the position of many married couples when both husband and wife are disabled, who, because of extremely narrow interpretations of the regulations, are prevented from having a four-wheeled vehicle? Is he aware that such people are put to great domestic hardship as a result of the restrictions imposed by a three-wheeled vehicle suitable for only one person?

Mr. Alison

I note the hon. Gentleman's point. He will know that where a couple living in the same household each qualify for a three-wheeler they may together receive a four-wheeler. If he has a particular case where this has for some reason not been applied perhaps he would write to me.