HC Deb 22 January 2002 vol 378 cc757-8W
Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many invalid vehicles provided under the invalid vehicle scheme up to 1976 were on the road in each of the last five years. [27251]

Jacqui Smith

The number of vehicles provided under the invalid vehicle scheme at the end of each of the last five years was as follows:

Year Total fleet size
1996–97 1,215
1997–98 1,054
1998–99 951
1999–2000 754
2000–01 629

Everyone leaving the invalid vehicle scheme will be eligible to receive indefinitely the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance, currently set at £38.65 a week rising to £39.30 from April 2002. They may choose to use this, for example, to obtain a motorised scooter or a four wheeled car specially adapted to each driver's needs through the motability scheme. Help with driving lessons is available. Technical officers from the service have visited each driver to discuss his or her future needs and to help decide what option to take.