§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the improvements to invalid tricycles listed in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 25th November 1974 (columns 82 and 83) have been carried out to the 21,000 motor tricycles now on the roads, including the 14,000 pre-Model 70 tricycles; and, if not, if she will list how many tricycles now incorporate all these modifications, on what date the task will be completed for the remainder, and at what cost.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe improvements relate to the Model 70. They have been included in all vehicles manufactured since July 1974. In general it would be impracticable as well as very expensive to make improvements to existing vehicles. However, all Model 70 vehicles on the road are being modified to incorporate the improved petrol tank mounting to eliminate any doubt about compliance with the relevant construction and use regulations. Necessary feasible improvements will not be delayed for cost reasons.
§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action has been taken to improve the stability and wind performance of the 21,000 motor invalid tricycles now on the roads, including the 14,000 pre-Model 70 tricycles; what action has been taken to commence the fitment of collapsible steering columns; how many tricycles have been modified to meet these particular defects; on what date the task will be completed for the remainder, and at what cost.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisA vehicle suitable for the very seriously disabled necessarily292W incorporates unusual characteristics, of which the high profile and unique steering mechanism are examples. Improvements are always under active consideration. The introduction of a collapsible steering column, which presents considerable technical problems, is in the initial stages of development.
§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many drivers of invalid tricycles have been fatally injured in road accidents in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisFollowing arc the figures:
1965 … … … … 4 1966 … … … … 4 1967 … … … … 2 1968 … … … … 5 1969 … … … … 4 1970 … … … … 5 1971 … … … … 6 1972 … … … … 6 1973 … … … … 5 1974 … … … … 4 In some instances it is not known whether the death resulted from the accident or was the cause of it.
§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the injury accidents involving invalid tricycles in the year ended September 1974 resulted in injury to the driver of the invalid tricycle, as against the drivers and passengers of other vehicles, or pedestrians.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe number of drivers of invalid three-wheelers who were injured in reported incidents in the year ended 30th September 1974 was 419. These injuries were mostly of a minor nature. Records are not kept to show the number of drivers and passengers of other vehicles or pedestrians injured in accidents involving three-wheelers.
§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the rate of injury accidents per million miles for invalid tricycles, as against that for other mechanically propelled four-wheelers, in the years ended September 1973 and September 1974, respectively.
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§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe injury accident rates per million miles for the Department's three-wheelers for the years ended 30th September 1973 and 1974 were about 5.8 and 6.4 respectively. Most of the injuries recorded were of a minor nature. These figures are not comparable with those produced by the Department of the Environment for all passenger cars and taxis because of the differing bases on which the statistics are compiled.
§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the accidents involving invalid tricycles overturning, in the years ended September 1973 and September 1974, respectively, resulted in injury to the driver of the invalid tricycle; and in how many cases no other vehicle was involved in the accident.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisFigures for 1973 are not available. In the year ended 30th September 1974, 102 drivers of invalid vehicles sustained injury—usually of a minor character—when their vehicles overturned. In most cases no other vehicle was involved, but precise figures are not available.
§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the rate of injury accidents per million miles, in the year ended September 1974, for the Model 70 invalid tricycle; and what was the equivalent rate for older types of motor invalid tricycle.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe information is not available.