HC Deb 19 October 1976 vol 917 cc388-91W
Mr. Ron Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the full accident statistics relating to invalid tricycles with manual gearbox, automatic transmission, electrically-propelled models and four-wheeled vehicles, respectively, in England for the years ended 30th September 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976, respectively, listing the information, under the categories as supplied by his Department for publication in Motor magazine on 14th August 1974;

(2) if he will publish in the Official Report the incidence of drivers injured in accidents involving invalid tricycles with manual gearbox, automatic transmission and electrically-propelled models, respectively, in England for the years ended 30th September 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976, respectively, under each appropriate type.

Mr. Alfred Morris

The information relating to the years ended 30th September 1973, 1974 and 1975 is set out in my reply to my hon. Friend on 29th

DRIVER INJURY ACCIDENTS INVOLVING DEPARTMENT THREE-WHEELERS AND CARS REPORTED DURING THE YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER
Per 1,000 drivers* Per million miles Per 100 million miles
1973 1974 1975 1973 1974 1975 1973 1974 1975
Three-wheelers:
Manual 20 21 23 5.79 5.79 6.0 579 579 600
Automatic 25 31 35 8.58 10.49 11.43 585 1,049 1,143
Electric 5 4 7 4.12 3.12 5.71 412 312 571
Cars 8 10 11 1.40 1.61 1.81 140 161 181
Information about non-driver injuries is not recorded.
* Net figures relating to the number of drivers at risk at the end of the period which is smaller than the total number of drivers at risk during the period. The figure for car drivers does not include additional drivers who may share the driving with either the disabled person to whom the car is issued or the person nominated to drive for him. The numbers of such drivers are not known.
† Including reserve vehicles. Vehicle mileage covered has been estimated and it is assumed that manual and automatic petrol three-wheelers cover the same mileage.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many invalid vehicles are currently in stock or on order; and how many such vehicles he still expects to order.

Mr. Alfred Morris

New vehicles are not kept in stock. They are ordered as required for users. Negotiations with manufacturers for the final contract are about to start. They will continue for some weeks and the details meanwhile remain a matter of commercial confidence. The objective, in general terms, is to ensure supplies sufficient to meet the

October 1975—[Vol. 898, c. 522–6]. Figures for the year ended 30th September 1976 are not yet available.

Mr. Ron Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list in the Official Report the accident rate per million miles for invalid tricycles with manual gearbox, automatic transmission and four-wheeled vehicles, respectively, in England for the years ended 30th September 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976, respectively;

(2) if he will list the total number of injury accidents per 1,000 disabled drivers and the accident involvement rate resulting in injury to drivers per 100 million miles, for England, for invalid tricycles with manual gearbox, automatic transmission and four-wheeled vehicles, respectively, for the years ended 30th September 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976 respectively.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Following is the information for the years ended 30th September 1973, 1974, and 1975. Figures for the year ended 30th September 1976 are not available.

demands, at least until mid-1981, of existing users who remain eligible.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the current average annual cost to his Department of providing and of maintaining an invalid tricycle.

Mr. Alfred Morris

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. Freud) on 6th August—[Vol. 916, c.1151–52]. An estimate of this kind, involving variables which change considerably over quite short periods and demanding a great deal of effort, has limited significance as a basis for comparison.

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