HC Deb 13 October 1975 vol 897 cc613-5W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the specifications made by Her Majesty's Government for the current model of invalid tricycle; or if she will give a reference to any published source, together with the names of the firms tendering for the construction of this vehicle.

Mr. Alfred Morris

The Model 70 is built to a specification which includes about 1,000 technical drawings. These are not published and it would not be practicable to publish them in the Official Report. The two firms who currently manufacture the Model 70 are AC Cars Ltd., Thames Ditton, Surrey, and Invacar Ltd., Armstrong Road, Benfleet, Essex.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in co-operation with the Secretary of State for Education and Science, she will mount a competition, open to all colleges of advanced technology and polytechnics, for designs or working prototypes of an improved invalid tricycle or parts thereof.

Mr. Alfred Morris

I am expecting to receive shortly the result of an inquiry by the Central Council for the Disabled regarding the views of invalid tricycle drivers and will bear this suggestion in mind.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if she will make a statement about the new mobility allowance, and the future of the invalid tricycle;

(2) what is the number on the waiting list for an invalid tricycle;

(3) if she will conduct a survey among invalid tricycle drivers to ascertain their views on the safety of the tricycle;

(4) how many people is it estimated will benefit from the new mobility allowance;

(5) if she will review the driving instructions given to invalid drivers;

(6) if she will tighten up the annual test procedures for invalid tricycles.

Mr. Alfred Morris

I estimate that the mobility allowance, when it is fully phased in, will be received by up to 100,000 new beneficiaries, in addition to those who now benefit under the vehicle scheme. The present waiting list of people who have been promised tricycles but have not yet received them is about 500.

Arrangements for driving tuition are currently being reviewed with the help of the Department of the Environment. Invalid tricycles are inspected and serviced at least three times a year by approved repairers, and a proportion are inspected by the Department's own technical staff. We are examining ways of improving the effectiveness of preventive maintenance arrangements.

More information about invalid tricycle drivers' views will soon be available from the Central Council for the Disabled, resulting from its recent inquiry. I shall then consider whether there is a need for a Government survey.

All these matters will be taken into account in our ongoing consideration of the new mobility allowance scheme and the provision of invalid tricycles.

Mr. Terry Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total cost of the latest model of the P70 tricycle.

Mr. Alfred Morris

It is not customary to disclose Government contract prices.