§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of war pensioners currently in receipt of invalid tricycles and cars, respectively.
§ Mr. PrenticeIn England at 31 March 1979, 83 war pensioners had invalid three-wheelers and 6,195 had cars on loan from my Department.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of people currently in receipt of, respectively, invalid tricycles and cars under the National Health Service.
§ Mr. PrenticeAt 31 March 1979 in England there were 13,397 three-wheelers and 2,996 cars on issue to former invalid vehicle scheme beneficiaries. In addition, 380 three-wheelers are on issue to disabled people who opted for the vehicle instead of mobility allowance.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will guarantee to provide an alternative vehicle for current invalid tricycle drivers 313W when spare parts and replacements are no longer available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeFirst, I should like to make it clear that the present stock of both invalid three-wheelers and spare parts is excellent in relation to the steadily declining number of people who use these vehicles. There is no early prospect of three-wheeler drivers being unable to have their vehicles maintained and if necessary replaced.
I intend to ensure that former invalid vehicle scheme beneficiaries who continue to use the three-wheeler should not become immobile as a result of the phasing out of the vehicle, unless increasing disability makes this inevitable.