§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a progress statement on his search for a specialised vehicle to replace the invalid tricycle.
§ Mr. Alfred Morris:I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his Question on 8th March —[Vol. 927, c. 466]—which confirmed that, as phasing out proceeds and the pattern of need becomes clearer we shall be looking on home and world markets to help drivers who will still need a specialised vehicle when their tricycles can no longer be replaced. I then said that my Department and the Department of Transport were jointly considering what further research was desirable. Detailed proposals have now been prepared for a research study to begin shortly. While my right hon. Friend has re-emphasised his stated aim of ensuring that no one who is now mobile is made immobile by the phasing out of the tricycle. It would be inappropriate to take definitive decisions on how this aim should be fulfilled until the results of our new research are available.
281W
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any national organisation for disabled people has submitted to him proposals for vehicle purchase or lease schemes for disabled people that depart from the principle of the mobility allowance of providing as much help for disabled non-drivers as for disabled drivers; whether he will name the organisations involved and reproduce relevant extracts from any documents associated with any such proposals in theOfficial Report; and whether he will make a statement on the Government's reaction to them.
§ Mr. Ennals:I have been continuing the discussions referred to in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford. South (Mr. Shaw) on 28th July —[Vol. 936, c. 499–500]—and I hope to make a statement very shortly.