HC Deb 21 June 1977 vol 933 cc1084-5
8. Mr. Tim Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many signatures he has now received to the National Mobility Petition.

Mr. Enrolls

About 100,000 signatures so far. I shall be receiving the bulk of the signatures tomorrow, when I formally take receipt of the petition at a meeting organised by my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) and other hon. Members from both sides of the House. I understand that there will be over 400,000 signatures.

Mr. Renton

The Secretary of State said earlier that he is seeking ways and means of making the mobility scheme more flexible. Does he agree that the only way to do this is to continue to make available a suitable vehicle for the disabled? Is he, in fact, now seeking ways and means of making such a vehicle available to the 3,000 young who became 17 since last July and who have not got a vehicle?

Mr. Ennals

I have made it clear on many occasions that my hon. Friend the Minister responsible for the Disabled and I are looking carefully at the sorts of specialised vehicle that may meet the needs of those who have trikes at the conclusion of the lifetime of trikes. As I have already reported to the House, we are also considering whether we can introduce a new scheme that will assist people, especially in the lease or purchase of vehicles. I have already told the House that I hope to make a statement as early as I can.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the constant reference to the vehicle pays little regard to the amount of work done for those people who are unable to drive? Since the impression is constantly given that the trike is being withdrawn from existing users, and since nothing that my right hon. Friend says in the House seems to make the Opposition and people outside accept the fact, will he consider making a ministerial television broadcast in order to reach the public and give them the true facts?

Mr. Eunals

I have done precisely that on television on a number of occasions. The difficulty is that it seems that Conservative Members are absolutely determined to mislead disabled people. [Interruption.] It is true. I have seen some of the advice that was given during the preparation of the petition that I shall receive tommorrow. For instance, signatories appear to have been told that current trike drivers will be housebound when the supply of trikes runs out. I have made it absolutely clear that that is not so. No one who has a trike issued under the old scheme will be made immobile by the phasing out of the trike. I have insisted to the House that I am determined that this shall be so.

Dr. Vaughan

Will the Secretary of State now answer the question and say what he proposes to do about the 3,000 young people who are stuck in their homes? Is he going to leave them there, unable to work? When he next quotes me, will he do so accurately and not misquote me?

Mr. Ennals

What I quoted from what the hon. Gentleman said in Westminster Hall was absolutely accurate. I, and a number of other hon. Members, heard what he said. We are still awaiting his answer. The Government have accepted that it is not only those who are able to drive but those who are not able to drive who need assistance. That is why we took the decision to introduce the mobility allowance—in order greatly to increase the assistance available to disabled people. I have already said that with regard to other vehicles I expect to make a statement before the House rises for the recess. I have now said that three times, and I hope that Conservative Members will not press me further.