Wheelchairs (Hansard, 5 February 1992)

§ Mr. Wigley
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many powered wheelchairs issued by his Department are currently in use by disabled people in Wales; and how many such wheelchairs were issued to new applicants in 1991.
173W

§ Mr. Nicholas Bennett
In Wales, the responsibility for the issue of wheelchairs—both powered and non-powered—lies with the artificial limb and appliance service. Since April 1988, the day-to-day management of the service has been undertaken by the Welsh Health Common Services Authority, WHCSA. The information requested is not held centrally, and so I have asked the WHCSA to write to the hon. Gentleman.

§ Mr. Wigley
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what circumstances his Department issues powered wheelchairs; and what changes there have been in the eligibility rules for such wheelchairs during the past five years.

§ Mr. Nicholas Bennett
Decisions on such matters are for the management of the artificial limb and appliance service, taking into account the specialist clinical advice available to it. I have asked the Welsh Health Common Services Authority to write to the hon. Gentleman on these matters.