§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of the Avon chair and of the orthokinetic chair as issued to seriously disabled children; and why he did not issue the orthokinetic chair when specifically requested for a patient by a consultant paediatrician.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe orthokinetic chair retails in this country at about £400 depending on the accessories required. The contract price for Avon wheelchairs is confidential but is considerably less. It has not been possible to include the orthokinetic chair in the range of wheelchairs supplied by the Department because of financial limitations. If accepted for supply by the Department, the orthokinetic chair would probably also supplant chairs other than the Avon and which are considerably cheaper.