HC Deb 08 November 1976 vol 919 cc55-6W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people applied for tricycles in 1974 and in 1975; and how many were issued to new applicants in each of those two years.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Under the former invalid vehicle scheme 3,667 and 4,196 recommendations for supply of invalid three-wheelers were received in 1974 and 1975 respectively. It is estimated that about 80 per cent. were successful. The time lapse due to medical examinations and other investigations makes it difficult to establish an exact correlation between applications and issues. 2,646 and 2,800 three-wheelers were issued to new applicants during 1974 and 1975 respectively. It is also estimated that about 130 people applied for three-wheelers as an alternative to cash allowances under the mobility allowance scheme during the last three months of 1975.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if those who opt for the mobility allowance will be allowed to change to a tricycle at some future date.

Mr. Alfred Morris

The trike has not, since my right hon. Friend's decision announced on 23rd July—[Vol. 915, c. 2229–42]—been available to new applicants who are in the age-groups now eligible for mobility allowance, or to those who already have mobility allowance, unless they want to switch back to a trike, having had one under the old vehicle service arrangements.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what other road-going invalid vehicles with a performance equivalent to the P70 tricycle are at present available on home and foreign markets.

Mr. Alfred Morris

While a large number of vehicles have in one respect or another a performance equivalent to the current three-wheeler, none is known to incorporate all its characteristics.

Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list any contracts which have been placed by his Department with AC Cars or Invacars Limited either to convert the Model 70 invalid tricycle into single-seater or two-seater four-wheeled vehicle or to design a specialised four-wheeled vehicle for the disabled.

Mr. Alfred Morris

No such contracts have been placed.