HL Deb 19 December 1973 vol 348 cc333-4

2.48 p.m.

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Report on Transport for the Disabled is to be published.

Low ABERDARE

My Lords, the Report by the noble Baroness, Lady Sharp, on the Mobility of Physically Disabled People has been received by my right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for Social Services, Scotland and Wales, and printing is now going ahead with a view to publication early in the new year.

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I should like to thank the Minister for that very heartening news and to ask whether he is aware of the article in The Times to-day which draws attention to the serious condition of the invalid tricycle. May I ask the Minister whether there is any hope of the publication of the report on the tests carried out in this connection by the Motor Industries Research Association?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, the answer to the first question posed by the noble Baroness is, Yes, I have read it with great interest and the answer to the second question is, No.

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I do not wish to press the Minister as we are going to get one Report, but may I ask whether there is any reason why the Department are not prepared to issue the other report?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, I think it was a report made for the Department, and in the normal way of Wings it would not be published, but its findings will be taken into account when the Government make up their mind on the recommendations contained in the Sharp Report.

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, it is not for me to suggest anything at Ones-time Time, of course, but is the Minister aware that it might lead to the—I am sure erroneous—supposition that there is something the Department do not wish to reveal, and it might perhaps be wiser to issue the report?

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, I will certainly bear that in mind.