§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to ensure that adequate maintenance facilities will continue to exist for the 200,000 electric and hand-propelled chairs used by the disabled following the phased withdrawal of the Department of Health and Social Security invalid tricycle.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisNo special action is called for. If the phasing out of the invalid tricycle eventually has repercussions upon wheelchair repair facilities alternative arrangements will be made.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date the manufacturers of the invalid tricycle informed his Department that their design and production facilities were unable to ensure that the tricycle would comply 119W with the Motor Vehicle (Type Approvals) (Great Britain) Regulations from 1st October 1978.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe initiative in such matters is not left to manufacturers. It is part of the responsibility of the Department's professional officers to keep abreast of existing and prospective safety legislation and to advise Ministers accordingly.