§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet received the results of user trials of his Department's one-way brake for wheelchairs; if he will publish them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonI am placing a copy of a report on the trials in the Library and making copies available to organisations representing wheelchair users. The report concludes that the one-way brake appears to offer benefit to a significant number of users of the Department's wheelchairs. I accept its recommendations that design modifications should be incorporated in the brake to overcome difficulties experienced by some users, and that it should then be provided on an optional basis through the Department's wheelchair service. Prescribers and interested organisations will be notified when the brake is available.