HC Deb 03 December 1973 vol 865 cc884-5
2. Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales why the Morris 1000 car KUN 766F was not used by a disabled person from the period 11th April 1973 to 9th November 1973 ; if he was aware that this vehicle was in working order and was taken from a disabled person ; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mr. David Gibson-Watt)

The car in question was withdrawn because a change in the disabled person's family circumstances made her no longer eligible for such a vehicle. A three-wheeler, or a cash allowance if she bought her own car, was offered to her in lieu. The vehicle was then overhauled and held for issue in due course to a patient who qualified for such a car but who was unable to use a Mini. I shall write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Carter-Jones

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Will he accept that my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Mr. Ellis) and I are most concerned about this matter, because we were assured in correspondence that this car was urgently required? The car was in perfectly good working order. Will the Minister of State say why the car was not issued quickly when we were assured by the Department that someone was waiting for it? Is this an isolated case? Will the Minister of State investigate the allocation of cars in the Principality?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

I shall look at the letter which the hon. Gentleman says was written to me in this respect. I can assure him that the Department has operated quite properly and that I have personally looked very carefully into the details. In my original answer I said that the reason we could not leave the car with the lady concerned was that her mother had died and this brought her into the National Health Service category in which she could have a three-wheeler. I shall write further to the hon. Gentleman on this matter.

Mr. Ellis

Will the Minister of State say what he can do for my constituent, Miss Lily Maud Davies? Is he prepared to sell her the car?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

The car has now been issued to another person. As I have already said, the £25 per quarter car allowance would be available to the hon. Gentleman's constituent.