§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether his Department has received a report from the Disablement Services Authority concerning the provision of occupant-controlled indoor and outdoor powered wheelchairs; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether his Department will make available the funds to enable the Disablement Services Authority to provide occupant-controlled indoor and outdoor powered wheelchairs to those more severely disabled people who would benefit from such a chair.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Disablement Services Authority is at present undertaking a study to assess the numbers of most severely disabled people who would benefit from this type of wheelchair. Once the results of the study are known, the authority will consider the resource implications and advise me in due course.