HC Deb 13 June 1974 vol 874 cc641-3W
Mrs. Colquhoun

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission, electrically-propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars, or travellers, respectively, which were involved in accidents in which they overturned, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year;

(2)if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission, electrically-propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars, or travellers, respectively, which were involved in accidents in which they were involved in a collision with other vehicles, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year;

(3)if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission, electrically-propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars or travellers, respectively, which either caught fire spontaneously or as a result of an accident, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year;

(4)if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission and four-wheeled cars or travellers, reprectively, which were involved in accidents due to the throttle or accelerator jamming, or the cable breaking, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year;

(5)if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission and electrically-propelled invalid tricycles, respectively, which were involved in accidents in which the driver's wheelchair fouled the steering control, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year;

(6)if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission and electrically-propelled invalid tricycles, respectively, which were involved in accidents in which the sliding seat broke loose, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year;

(7)if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission and electrically- propelled invalid tricycles, respectively, which were involved in accidents in which the steering locked or steering wheel collapsed, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year;

(8)if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission which were involved in accidents in which the drive pulley broke, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year;

(9)if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox and motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission, respectively, which were involved in accidents in which the petrol tank fractured, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year;

(10)if he will list the total number of disabled drivers or their relatives who have written to his Department complaining of carbon monoxide leaking into the driving compartment of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox and motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission, respectively, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year;

(11) if he will list the total number of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles with automatic transmission electrically-propelled invalid tricycles and four-wheeled cars or travellers, respectively, which were involved in accidents in which some mechanical or design fault was a contributory factor, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year, listing the main causes involved.

Mr. John Morris

I regret that this information could not be provided without a disproportionate use of time and resources.

Mrs. Colquhoun

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will arrange for an independent analysis of all accident report forms filled in by disabled drivers of motor invalid tricycles with manually-operated gearbox, motor invalid tricycles, respectively, which were involved in accidents, in Wales, for the years 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, as at 31st March of each respective year, to establish the incidence of accidents caused by mechanical or design faults where the driver may have been killed, injured and or blamed for what occurred.

Mr. John Morris

I am not convinced of the value of such an investigation for the reasons given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services in reply to a similar Question today.

Mrs. Colquhoun

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether the accident report form filled in by disabled drivers includes details of how the accident was caused, whether the driver was killed or what injuries he sustained and whether he held a provisional licence; and if he will make available copies of the form to disabled drivers' representatives.

Mr. John Morris

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes". As to the second part, copies of the pro forma can be supplied, but my hon. Friend will understand that information concerning an individual could not properly be disclosed.

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