§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she has yet made a decision regarding the continued provision of vehicles to haemophiliacs, parents of young disabled and where
Urgent Non-Urgent Total All Waiting more than 1 month All Waiting more than 1 year Geriatrics … … 37 24 13 13 — General Surgery … … 1,461 407 351 1,054 507 Ear, Nose and Throat (T & A) … … 732 26 22 706 293 Ear, Nose and Throat (Others) … … 124 5 4 119 27 Trauma and Orthopaedics … … 118 — — 118 — Gynaecology … … 526 20 20 506 95 Mental Illness … … 15 10 3 5 1 Total … … 3,013 492 313 2,521 923 My right hon Friend recently issued giudance to Health Authorities about the reduction of waiting times. I would refer my hon. Friend to her reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Stott) on 5th August.—[Vol. 897, cols. 122–23.] There is a deficiency in hospital provision in the mid-Staffordshire District. It will be for the West Midlands Regional Health Authority and the Staffordshire Area Health Authority
808Wthere are to disabled persons in one family.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisNo. The present policy is that all disabled people who now have tricycles or cars will be able to keep them, and have them replaced when necessary, so long as they remain eligible under the rules of the existing vehicle scheme.
From 1st January, 1976, the main mobility benefit for new beneficiaries is to be the new mobility allowance, with the invalid tricycle as an alternative for those who can drive it and wish to do so. Four-wheeled cars, now supplied to the special groups, will cease to be available except as replacements. Disabled children, like other non-drivers, will for the first time be eligible for a cash benefit and this will give much-needed help to their parents.