asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many invalid cars issued by her Department and eventually withdrawn from service were purchased, at public auction, during any last convenient period, by disabled drivers; and how many were purchased by private concerns for resale to the non-disabled public after the special controls fitted to those cars had been removed.
I regret that this information is not available.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements there are for disposing of invalid tricycles and invalid cars issued by her Department when they are eventually withdrawn from service; and if she will consider establishing a system whereby disabled people are given an opportunity to purchase these vehicles, which have been specially adapted for disabled drivers, before they are offered for sale by public auction for possible resale to non-disabled people.
Invalid three-wheelers withdrawn from service are no longer seviceable and are scrapped. The question of their disposal to potential drivers does not arise. In accordance with normal practice, motor cars no longer required are sold by public auction under arrangements which are well known. It would not be possible to discriminate in favour of the disabled driver and at the same time demonstrate that the duty to secure the best return for the Exchequer had been properly discharged.