§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how long a period of consultation he will be having on the report of the motor industry research association entitled "Personal Transport for Disabled People " before announcing what action he will be taking with regard to the report's conclusions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe primary purpose of the motor industry research association's project was to discover the vehicle needs of former invalid vehicle scheme beneficiaries who continue to use three-wheelers; this to facilitate future planning in order to implement the undertaking to this group that it will not be immobilised by phasing out the three-wheeler unless increasing disability makes this inevitable. The stocks of suitable three-wheelers, in relation to the steadily declining number of users, is such that there is no immediate urgency, and accordingly no need, to fix a deadline for the submission of views on the report.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further help his Department is giving to Manchester polytechnic's project for a specialised vehicle for disabled people; and if he will now make a statement on his view of the project's prospects of success.
§ Mr. PrenticeOfficers of the Department have, from time to time, given informal advice to those engaged on this project, and any further help that can be given in this way will continue to be readily available. The future of the project is a matter for the sponsors, who have been provided with a copy of the report of the investigation commissioned from the motor industry research association by the Department of Transport and this Department to discover the vehicle needs of former invalid vehicle scheme beneficiaries who continue to use three-wheelers, which is also relevant to226W the vehicle needs of disabled people generally and which will, therefore, I believe, prove to be a very useful frame of reference.