§ Sir I. Fraserasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement of his policy for the maintenance and replacement of motor cars supplied to certain severely disabled war pensioners.
§ Mr. VosperMy right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, and I are now beginning special inspections of these cars with a view to replacing those which, in spite of reasonable use and proper maintenance, are most in need of replacement. If a motor tricycle has to be issued for temporary use in place of a car which we are satisfied ought to be replaced, a replacement car will be supplied as soon as is practicable.
We have also decided to increase by £8 a year, from 1st April next, the basic annual grant of £57 (excluding the present temporary increase announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk 74W and Malton (Mr. Turton) on 11th December, 1956), now paid towards the cost of maintenance of the cars. But for all cars issued after that date, whether as replacements or as new issues, the grant will be paid on the basis of a rising scale. For new cars this will be at the rate of £45 a year for the first two years, £65 a year for the next two years and £75 a year thereafter. For reconditioned cars it will be at the rate of £50 a year for the first two years and £75 a year thereafter. The present temporary increase will, so long as it is paid, be additional to these rates. In addition from 1st April a new grant of £20 towards the cost of replacing the engine will be payable to users of Government cars. This grant will not be paid more than once during a war pensioner's use of a car, and instructions about apply for it will be issued to users.