§ Mr. Lewis Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the expert individuals and organisations in the field of road transport and disability whom he consulted regarding the issue of automatic gear boxes for right leg amputees; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1986, c. 76]: The British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association, Motability and Banstead Place Mobility Centre have been consulted about the issue of automatic gear boxes to right leg amputees.
When a war pensioner receiving war pensioner's mobility supplement obtains a car through Motability, the Department can make a grant for adaptations, including the provision of an automaic gear box, provided they are medically essential to enable him to drive. We appreciate the view of the organisations we have consulted that right leg amputees would find an automatic gear box helpful, but the possibility of hand-operated controls means that it cannot be said to be medically essential in all cases. We do, however, give each individual application careful and sympathetic consideration.