§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many invalid tricycles for disabled people are on issue from his Department; and what is the annual cost to his department.
§ Mr. Harry Ewing1,792 at 31st December 1976. Identifiable expenditure in 1975–76 was £418,000. This includes expenditure on new vehicles, reconditioning vehicles, spare parts, insurance and carriage, but excludes routine servicing and repair, driving tuition and petrol tax allowance, which cannot be separately identified.
§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department will have discussions with representatives of the disabled, similar to those taking place with the DHSS, about a scheme for commutation of the mobility allowance so that disabled car drivers can get a lump sum in advance with which to buy and modify a car; and whether he will make a statement about what lump sum he has in mind.
§ Mr. Harry EwingMy right hon. Friend and my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for the Disabled are in close touch about proposals by the Central Council for the Disabled aimed at helping disabled people to buy and modify a car. It is not possible at this stage to say what form any such scheme might take or how it might apply to Scotland. However, representatives of the disabled in Scotland will be consulted on the implications for them of any such scheme before any decision is taken.