§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what changes in the basis of funding of the wheelchair service to individual disabled people he has made following the report to the Scottish Home and Health Department, "How should the Wheelchair Service develop in the Nineties?"; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether his Department has responded to the recommendations made to the Scottish Office Home and Health Department contained in the report "How Should the Wheelchair Service Develop in the Nineties?"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 15 July 1994]: No changes have been made to the funding arrangements for this financial year. At present, the six centres which provide wheelchair services are funded by direct allocations from the national services division of the Common Services Agency. The future funding arrangements are under review by that division and any decision will be taken in consultation with health boards which are responsible for assessing the health needs of resident populations and for purchasing the appropriate services.
The views and recommendations expressed in the report "How should the Wheelchair Service develop in the Nineties?" have been noted by the Scottish Office Home and Health Department and have been drawn to the attention of the national services division and health boards.