§ Lord Holme of Cheltenhamasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the wheelchair voucher scheme announced by Mr. John Bowis on 23rd February 1996 will be available to people in Northern Ireland; and if not, why not.
25WA
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)The announcement on 23rd February 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 implications for Northern Ireland of the proposals for a voucher scheme.