§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure that indoor/outdoor powered wheelchairs are made freely available in Northern Ireland on the same lines as the Department of Health has announced for England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [23234]
§ Mr. Moss[holding answer 29 March 1996): The Department of Health announcement referred only to England. In Northern Ireland the Department of Health and Social Services is currently exploring with the four health and social services boards how the wheelchair service might be improved. In this context they will be considering the provision of indoor/outdoor powered 69W wheelchairs for severely disabled people and the implications for Northern Ireland of the proposals for a voucher scheme.