HC Deb 10 May 1973 vol 856 cc746-7
Q8. Dr. Dickson Mabon

asked the Prime Minister what was the outcome of his meeting on 16th April 1973 with the deputation led by Mr. Graham Hill on the inadequacy of the new three-wheel invalid carriage, the P70; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

The main purpose of the deputation was to express its appreciation for the improvements made last year in the invalid vehicle service following the Government's review.

Dr. Mabon

Nevertheless, is it not the case that even Mr. Graham Hill, with his admitted political tendencies to drive on the right, has to be respected for his view that this invalid carriage is not easy to drive? Given the kind of occupants, by definition, of these carriages, is it not high time that we adopted a four-wheeled carriage for these persons not only to give them the ability to drive as competently as the majority of drivers in this country but so that they may know they are less open to risk of injury should they be involved in a collision?

The Prime Minister

Part of the appreciation expressed was that we had made it possible for many of the disabled to have four-wheeled cars instead of the tri-car. The model P70 is an improvement on its predecessor, but further modifications and adaptations are now being made to it. As the hon. Gentleman knows, Baroness Sharp is considering the whole question of the mobility of the disabled.

Mr. James Hamilton

Does the Prime Minister recognise that most of us appreciate that there have been some improvements in the three-wheeled vehicle? However, may I ask him to change Government policy regarding the three-wheeled vehicle, which has not been made available to people who are housebound because they are not in employment? Does he realise that these people cannot get work because the vehicle is not made available for them to look for work? Will he try to change Government policy on this matter?

The Prime Minister

I agree that this is a major problem and that, because of the numbers of disabled involved, the cost is very large. On the two occasions when deputations have been to see me at No. 10, they have said that they wished to establish an order of priorities to help the disabled in accordance with the funds which become available. We have endeavoured to follow that order of priorities. No doubt this is a question on which we shall receive guidance from Baroness Sharp's inquiry.