HC Deb 20 May 1977 vol 932 cc849-50

11.5 a.m.

Sir Derek Walker-Smith (Hertfordshire, East)

I present a petition containing over 1,000 signatures. The majority of the signatories are my constituents. The petition recites the concern of the signatories at the statement of the Secretary of State for Social Services on 23rd July 1976 in that it removes the assurance of continued independent mobility for those severely disabled persons now driving invalid tricycles. It prays for legislation immediately to guarantee the right of continued independent mobility to current invalid tricycle drivers when the supply of tricycles is exhausted, in order to allay their great anxiety for the future. It also asks for the restoration immediately of the option of a suitably adapted car or an invalid tricycle to new applicants for mobility assistance under the powers granted to the Secretary of State for Social Services by Section 33 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, and for the active promotion of projects to design and produce specialised vehicles which will enable an increasing number of severely disabled people to enjoy independent mobility. The petition further asks for the promotion of a total policy on mobility and concludes, as is appropriate, with the words And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

To lie upon the Table.

11.7 a.m.

Mr. Roger Moate (Faversham)

I beg leave to present a petition to the House on behalf of the Faversham Disabled Club in conjunction with the Kent Association for the Disabled. The petition is supported by 3,935 signatories who reside in or near the Faversham constituency. The petitioners pray that this House should take all the necessary steps to promote a total policy on mobility which will ensure that a choice is available to severely disabled between a mobility allowance set at a level which will enable the purchase and maintenance of appliances that they need, the issue of a specialised vehicle or the issue of a suitably adapted car; which policy should be implemented with all possible urgency.

To lie upon the Table.