HC Deb 30 May 1960 vol 624 cc94-6W
52. Mr. Hale

asked the Minister of Health how many applications for petrol-propelled invalid carriage have been received during the last twelve months for which figures are available; how many have been rejected; how many have been provisionally granted; and the total number and the total cost of carriages actually supplied to such applicants.

Miss Pitt

I regret that statistics are not kept of the total number of applications received or rejected by hospitals or by the Ministry's offices. In 1959, 1,821 new applications were provisionally granted, and 1,278 petrol and 332 electric-engined machines have been supplied to these applicants. In regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Ness Edwards) on 11th April.

53. Mr. Hale

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now reconsider the regulations as to the supply of petrol-propelled invalid carriages which exclude many seriously disabled applicants.

Miss Pitt

While all considerations are under continuous review my right hon. and learned Friend does not think that any particular reconsideration of the present arrangements is called for.

59. Mr. Neal

asked the Minister of Health how many industrially disabled miners in Derbyshire have been supplied by his Department with tricycles; and what would be the cost of replacing these vehicles with two-seater cars.

Miss Pitt

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Rhondda, East (Mr. G. Elfed Davies) and other hon. Members on 23rd May.

66. Mr. Ness Edwards

asked the Minister of Health the detailed considerations which led to the decision to replace tricycles by two-seater oars in the case of the war disabled.

Mr. Walker-Smith

While the invalid motor-tricycle is an efficient machine for its purpose, it does not carry a passenger and it was for that reason that I decided to extend the war pensioner's car scheme which was introduced in 1948.

67. Mr. Ainsley

asked the Minister of Health if he will take the necessary steps to make it possible for paraplegics to be supplied with two-seater vehicles.

68. Mr. T. Brown

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider the provision of a more efficient vehicle for paraplegic cases in view of the congested state of the roads today.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Paraplegic cases who fall within the terms of my announcement on 4th April on war pensioners will be offered cars, but I am not in a position to go further.

69. Mr. G. Elfed Davies

asked the Minister of Health whether persons who were tied to their industry by the wartime labour controls and who were subsequently injured in their employment are to be included in the decision to replace single-seater tricycles by two-seater cars.

Miss Pitt

No. This extension applies to those war pensioners disabled in the service of their country who are eligible for Government power-propelled tricycles.

Mr. Slater

asked the Minister of Health whether paraplegic cases, due to war-time bombing in the case of civilians in directed employment, are to be included among those to be provided with two-seater cars.

Miss Pitt

Civilian war pensioners other than those injured whilst serving in the Merchant Navy will be excluded.