§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to increase the provision of electric wheelchairs; and if he will make a statement. [62297]
§ Mr. HuttonElectrically powered chairs for indoor use have always been among the range of wheelchairs available through the National Health Service. In 1996, additional funding of £27 million was announced for the provision of electrically powered indoor/outdoor 79W wheelchairs. This funding was made available over a four-year period starting in 1996–97. From 1999–2000, the sum of £6 million for the electronically powered indoor/outdoor scheme will become recurrent, allowing maintenance of the increased number of disabled people being supplied with powered wheelchairs.