§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department will consider publishing a report on the need for differential brakes on pushed wheelchairs to ease the strain and danger when going downhill; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonAttendant-operated brakes with a progressive action are fitted to pushchairs when required.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the reasons why the 9L chair is not at present available, in view of the fact that this chair is recommended by a large number of medical practitioners.
§ Mr. AlisonThe model 9L is a new lightweight wheelchair for which production is building up. Until this has reached the necessary level, other similar models will continue to be provided.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the Vessa L-W chair has been withdrawn; what surveys have been made of the relevant merits of the Vessa L-W and the 8L: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThe Vessa L-W wheelchair is a proprietary model available from only one source of supply. It is being superseded in the National Health Service by the model 8L which is available from several sources. The characteristics of the two models are similar.