§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when Miss Edith Charles, 6, Valencia Road, Liverpool, 15, was issued with her present invalid three-wheeler;
(2) for how many weeks during the last three years Miss Charles' three-wheeled vehicle has been off the road as a result of defects;
(3) how much repair work has been done on Miss Charles' vehicle over the last four years;
(4) what has been the cost to the Government of carrying out the repair work to Miss Charles' three-wheeled invalid vehicle;
(5) if she will replace the three-wheeled invalid vehicle belonging to Miss Charles with a more reliable vehicle like the new model P70;
(6) what is the cost of purchasing a new three-wheeled invalid vehicle;
(7) what is the expected average life of a three-wheeled invalid vehicle.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisMiss Charles was issued with her present three-wheeler in January 1970. It is not possible to determine from the Department's records how long it was actually off the road because of defects over the last three years.
To reduce inconvenience to a minimum, there are standing arrangements for reserve vehicles to be issued on temporary loan to disabled drivers whose own 523W vehicles have to be taken out of use for more than a day or two. According to the local repairer, Miss Charles has been provided with a reserve vehicle when this has been necessary. Most of the repair work on Miss Charles' vehicle over the last few years has been of a minor nature, except for a major overhaul in March 1974 and for clutch repairs in August 1975.
The cost of repairs and maintenance over the six years she has used the vehicle has not been excessive. This overall cost was approximately £450, which included regular routine servicing, collection and delivery of the vehicle, where necessary, by the local approved repairer, and the cost of spare parts. The vehicle was inspected recently by one of the Department's technical officers who reported it to be in a fair condition with no faults apparent on the road test. However, Miss Charles has recently been medically reviewed. She is now experiencing difficulty in operating the gear lever because of a hand disability and, on medical grounds, she is to be provided with a Model 70.
It is not customary to disclose Government contract prices. The useful life of an invalid three-wheeler depends on a number of factors including the extent and pattern of its use and the way it is driven and cared for. Some have remained in service for upwards of 10 years but the average is seven to eight years.
The hon. Member will he pleased to learn that a liaison group has recently been formed including the major organisations representing the disabled, the trade interests and officials of the Department, this will provide a useful forum where all concerned can pool their ideas, share their worries and suggest possible improvements in the practicable running of the invalid vehicle maintenance services.