§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he has given to the provision of a specialised vehicle for disabled people still requiring such a vehicle when the invalid tricycle is phased-out; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he proposes for disabled people who may want a specialised method of transport at the end of the phasing-out period for the tricycle.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisWe expect to be able to maintain the supply of invalid tricycles, for those who want to keep them, for at least five years and possibly for a good deal longer. As the phasing-out of the tricycles proceeds, we shall assess the extent of the need for specialised vehicles for the remaining vehicle scheme beneficiaries and see what alternative vehicles, and electrically powered wheelchairs, are available on home and world markets. I have invited comments on our new policy statement from the 859W organisations representing disabled people and we shall, of course, consider both carefully and sympathetically the views they express.
§ Mr. Clemitsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish figures of the number of people to whom three-wheeled invalid tricycles have been issued, analysed according to the age of the vehicles concerned.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisIn England at 31st March 1976 there were 18,447 invalid three-wheelers electric and petrol driven on issue or available for issue. The analysis by reference to the year of registration is as follows:
prior to: 1967 … … … … 694 1967 … … … … 538 1968 … … … … 1,136 1969 … … … … 1,318 1970 … … … … 1,875 1971 … … … … 1,729 1972 … … … … 2,881 1973 … … … … 2,574 1974 … … … 2,124 1975 … … … … 2,904 1976 … … … … 674