§ 52. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Health if, in view of the sixpence increase in the tax on petrol, he will arrange for a compensating increase in the free issue of petrol to invalids driving mechanically-propelled vehicles issued by the State.
§ Mr. RobinsonI am considering the matter.
§ Mr. Kelleyasked the Minister of Health what are the medical, social and economic advantages of the three-wheeled, motorised invalid carriage over a suitably adapted four-wheeled motor car for the use of paraplegics.
§ Sir B. StrossInvalid tricycles are designed for disabled drivers and can be more readily adapted to suit individual needs; some paraplegics who could not 123W control a motor car can manage an invalid tricycle. Patients in tricycles may enjoy special privileges, e.g. at sporting events, and consideration is generally shown by other road users. From the Exchequer point of view, the overall cost of providing adapted motor cars instead of tricycles would be very much greater.