HC Deb 10 May 1968 vol 764 cc165-6W
Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister of Health how many people entitled to motorised invalid tricycles have opted for a four-wheeled vehicle.

Mr. K. Robinson

About 6,000 including over 5,500 war disabled pensioners are using four-wheeled cars supplied by my Department; and in addition about 4,500, including 1,250 war disabled pensioners, elected to use their own cars, adapted as necessary.

Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister of Health what is the average annual cost per head involved in the issue to the disabled of motorised tricycles, including maintenance and free petrol and their capital value.

Mr. K. Robinson

About £140.

Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister of Health what is the total annual administrative cost of the section of his Department which controls the issue, maintenance and return of motorised invalid tricycles.

Mr. K. Robinson

It is regretted the information is not available, because all the staff concerned have other duties.

Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has made of the number of persons entitled to invalid motor tricycles; and how many disabled claim these carriages from his Department.

Mr. K. Robinson

Something like 100,000 persons may have the physical disabilities which would qualify them for an invalid three-wheeler but many of these would be unable to control one. About 27,000 have been provided with vehicles i.e. powered tricycles or cars, or have had their own vehicles converted to hand control.

Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Minister of Health what is the cost to his Department of issuing free invalid tricycles to the disabled and of providing their repair facilities; and what estimate he has made of the value of a transport allowance equal in total to this cost which would be payable to those receiving these benefits.

Mr. K. Robinson

In the year ended 31st March, 1968 the expenditure on provision, repair, maintenance, garaging etc. of invalid tricycles was £2,785,352. An allowance in lieu of a tricycle would not meet the needs of the severely disabled, and no estimate has been made.