§ Mr. Cabornasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the cost to his Department of providing an electric-powered wheelchair for indoor use in the present financial year; and how many such wheelchairs have been provided in each of the last five financial years;
(2) what is the cost to his Department of providing an electric-powered wheelchair for outdoor use in the present financial year; and how many have been provided in each of the last five financial years;
(3) how many disabled persons are in possession of two electric-powered wheelchairs, one for indoors and one for outside use, provided by his Department;
(4) what would be the cost to his Department of providing one electric-powered wheelchair suitable for indoor and outdoor use, which can be self-operated, in the current financial year;
(5) what plans the Government have to change the present rules on the provision of electric-powered wheelchairs to the disabled to provide only one wheelchair suitable for indoor and outdoor use which is self-operated.
§ Mr. NewtonThe number of indoor electric wheelchairs and outdoor electric power-assisted pushchairs issued in the last five financial years is as follows:
Indoor Outdoor 1979–80 3,010 3,709 1980–81 3,723 3,732 1981–82 4,130 4,015 1982–83 4,982 4,166 1983–84 5,322 4,849 Figures relating to dual provision could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The Department does not provide occupant-controlled outdoor electric wheelchairs.
A detailed analysis of the costs of wheelchair provision is being made by a working party which is reviewing the services of artificial limb and appliance centres. A full separation of these costs is not at present available. We have no plans to change current arrangements for the provision of different kinds of wheelchairs, but the working party is considering the range of wheelchairs issued by the Department and when it has reported we shall study any recommendations it may make.