HC Deb 26 February 1996 vol 272 cc332-3W
Mr. Tom Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people have been provided with electrically powered indoor-outdoor wheelchairs by health authorities in England in each of the last three years; [17031]

(2) what expenditure has been incurred by health authorities in England for the purchase of electrically powered indoor wheelchairs in each of the last three years; [17072]

(3) what expenditure has been incurred by health authorities in England for the purchase of electrically powered indoor-outdoor wheelchairs in each of the last three years; [17186]

(4) how many people have been provided with electrically powered indoor wheelchairs by health authorities in each of the last three years. [17196]

Mr. Bowis

This information is not available centrally.

Mr. Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the most recent figure available for the cost of providing an individual with an electrically powered indoor-outdoor wheelchair; [16995]

(2) what is the most recent figure available for the cost of providing an individual with an electrically powered indoor wheelchair. [17188]

Mr. Bowis

The cost will depend on individual circumstances and the type of chair supplied.

Mr. Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conclusions have been reached by the departmental working group set up by his Department to look at the feasibility of introducing a voucher scheme for the provision of indoor-outdoor and indoor electrically powered wheelchairs; and what is the proposed value of the voucher. [17016]

Mr. Bowis

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Mrs. Lait) on 22 February at column291.