§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the muscular dystrophy group on the McColl report on the services of artificial limb and appliance centres; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonI have received from the president of the Muscular Dystrophy Group a petition with about 96,000 signatures, calling for the immediate introduction of dual purpose indoor/outdoor powered wheelchairs. Over .200 members have written to me on the same point following approaches from local branches of the group. The group has also sent me a detailed commentary on the report of the McColl working party.
I have assured those who have raised the matter with me that we are considering urgently the issues raised in the working party's report. We expect to he making a detailed response by the end of the year, and on some issues we may be able to act sooner.