To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the outdoor mobility and living standards of disabled ex-service men and women, and other severely disabled people, of reclassifying mobility scooters as vehicles for the transport of persons, rather than carriages for disabled people, and what further action they are taking to have the scooters reclassified. [HL4015]

The Ministry of Defence is not aware of any assessment that has been carried out into the impact on the outdoor mobility living standards of disabled ex-service men and women, and other severely disabled people, of reclassifying mobility scooters as vehicles for the transport of persons, rather than carriages for disabled people. The use of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs is defined by the Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988 (Statutory Instrument No 2268) and there are currently no plans for reclassification. The Department for Transport is reviewing how best to balance the needs of mobility scooter users with those of other pedestrians and road users. This includes a review of how to improve advice and information, the issues of insurance and fitness to drive, and registration issues. In the light of the reported growth in their usage, the department will continue to review its policies in these areas.