HC Deb 06 November 1975 vol 899 cc293-4W
Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now remove the exemption from the MOT test granted to invalid tricycles in light of the recent report by the AA magazine Drive; and if he will cease to grant further exemptions from the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations to these vehicles.

Dr. Gilbert

No. Invalid tricycles are regularly maintained and inspected under arrangements made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, who is reviewing these arrangements in consultation with representatives of disabled drivers and approved repairers.

I do not at present foresee any need to grant further exemptions for these vehicles from current safety regulations.

Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the proportion of accidents involving injury to the driver between invalid tricycles, normal three wheelers, DHSS cars and normal fourw-heeled cars, respectively, for England, during the years ended 30th September 1973, 1974, and 1975, respectively;

(2) what was the injury accident rate per million miles for invalid tricycles, adapted cars issued by the DHSS and normal cars and taxis for the 12 months to 30th September 1973,1974 and 1975, respectively;

(3) if he will list the proportion of single-vehicle accidents involving injury to the driver of invalid tricycles, normal three-wheelers, DHSS cars and normal four-wheeled cars, respectively, for England, during the years ended 30th September 1973, 1974 and 1975, respectively.

Dr. Gilbert

The information requested is not readily available. I shall publish replies to the hon. Member's Questions in theOfficial Report as soon as possible.