§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the main types of disabilities suffered by National Health Service patients in receipt of motor invalid tricycles from his Department in England and Wales, together with the numbers involved.
§ Mr. AlisonInformation in the form required is not immediately available but I will write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether servo-assisted brakes have yet been fitted to the P70 invalid tricycle to cope with the increased engine power afforded by the 500 cc Steyr Puch engine.
§ Mr. AlisonServo-assisted brakes are fitted to the model 70 in individual cases where there is a medical need.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that general practitioners who can now fill in assessment recommendation forms for the provision of invalid tricycles are provided with full information on such vehicles to enable them to assess their suitability.
§ Mr. AlisonNo. General practitioners may recommend that a vehicle be supplied but it is for departmental doctors to decide, with technical advice, on the type of invalid three-wheeler most suitable for an individual.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if Baroness 392W Sharp has yet presented her completed report to him for consideration.
§ Sir K. JosephNo.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake an official drive in a P70 invalid tricycle in urban traffic conditions, so as to obtain an impression of its suitability.
§ Mr. AlisonThis would serve no useful purpose. I took an early opportunity to drive one of these vehicles but in order fully to appreciate its performance it would be necessary to drive it regularly under a variety of conditions. Some of the Department's engineers do so as part of a continuous test and development programme and I have the benefit of their advice.