§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfield that spares for the disabled person's invalid tricycle are still readily available; and if he is receiving complaints to the contrary.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAlthough the store of spares, holding some 2,100 articles against fluctuating and unpredictable demands, is not immune from delay on the part of suppliers, only five items are temporarily in short supply at the moment, and this is being rectified. It will never be possible, without wasteful overstocking, to ensure that every item is always 223W immediately available, but there is no reason to fear abnormal difficulty. If a tricycle user would be immobilised because a necessary spare is not immediately available, the normal practice is to replace the tricycle, temporarily or permanently. If my hon. Friend has any particular case of difficulty in mind, I shall be very glad to have it looked into.
§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will ensure that any replacement vehicle for disabled people is produced in the United Kingdom, in view of the fact that Great Britain is a major manufacturer of vehicles and has many unemployed workers.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Esher (Mr. Mather) on 10th January.—[Vol. 923, c.425–6.] The factor she mentions will certainly be borne in mind.