§ 76. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of a new three-wheeled invalid carriage; and if he will estimate the cost of a four-wheeled vehicle to replace it.
§ Mr. AlisonIt is not the practice to reveal contract prices. A four-wheeled vehicle suitable for all those invalids at present eligible for three-wheelers would have to be specially developed and designed. No estimate has been made of the cost of doing this, but it would be very high.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the case of vehicles supplied by his Department, the insurance rates for three-wheeled invalid carriages are lower than for four-wheeled vehicles; and whether this is being taken into account in his consideration of the provision of four-wheeled vehicles.
§ Mr. AlisonInsurance rates for invalid three-wheelers are substantially lower than those for cars. All relevant information is taken into consideration when comparing vehicle costs; but the cost of insurance is not a determining factor in the selection of a vehicle suitable for a disabled person to drive.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the costs of servicing the present three-wheeled invalid carriage are higher or lower than the costs of servicing a suitable four-wheeled vehicle of British manufacture.
§ Mr. AlisonDisabled people using cars pay their own bills and their servicing expenditure is not known.
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§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which components of the three-wheeled invalid carriage are imported and why.
§ Mr. AlisonThe current three-wheeler is manufactured in the United Kingdom from British components. The new and improved model expected to become available next year will also be manufactured in the United Kingdom but will have an Austrian engine, an American torque convertor and some Italian rear suspension and transmission components.