§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether in her inquiry into the mobility needs of handicapped people, Baroness Sharp has informed him that she will receive verbal evidence from representatives of organisations concerned with these needs, so that she may obtain additional background information which is difficult to submit in writing.
§ Mr. AlisonAny organisation having difficulty in preparing its evidence in written form should let Mr. Muir of my Department, at Warbeck Hill Road, Blackpool, Lanes, know. He will inform Lady Sharp.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of electrically-propelled indoor wheelchairs that are at present on issue to disabled persons under the National Health Service in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Alison2,620 at 30th June, 1972.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what types of four-wheeled cars are available to eligible disabled persons under the National Health Service; and whether these include the Renaults as used for testing purposes by the Department.
§ Mr. AlisonThe Morris Mini-Minor is the car now normally supplied. An alternative to the Mini for a person who could not manage it was the Morris Minor 1000, a small car with particular advantages for a disabled person. Efforts are made to maintain a supply of these cars, which are no longer in production, by reconditioning, but the opportunity to do this will diminish. The Renault 4 is being evaluated.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average difference in the cost to public funds over a period of six years between the cost of a three-wheeled and a four-wheeled car for disabled drivers, including capital cost, modifications, repairs, maintenance and other expenses.
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§ Mr. AlisonA precise comparison is impossible because of the many variables but there is probably no significant difference in cost.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the departmental team investigating aids and equipment for disabled people has yet reported to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephI have received the report and am studying it. It shows that this is a relatively neglected sector where much more needs to be done, calling for skills, resources and organisation which it will take a period of years to mobilise and deploy. The report therefore raises wide implications for my Department, which I shall need to consider carefully before deciding what action to take.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to encourage voluntary organisations to conduct surveys of accessibility of public buildings on the lines of the project completed by the Brent Association for the Disabled and the Middlesex Group of the Disabled Drivers Association, the report of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West.
§ Mr. EyreI have been asked to reply. Constructive action of this kind by voluntary organisations is to be welcomed, but my right hon. Friend does not envisage that any special measures are necessary to encourage surveys of the sort carried out by the Brent Association for the Disabled and the Middlesex Group of the Disabled Drivers Association.