Code Of Practice For Sales Of Assistive Mobility Equipment

EDM number 724 in 2001-02, proposed by Norman Lamb on 24/01/2002.

That this House notes that many disabled and elderly people are sold assistive products such as stairlifts, mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs which are not appropriate for their needs through the use of high-pressure sales techniques, and that repairable equipment is often deemed as being 'beyond economic repair' by companies who wish to promote the sale of a new product; further notes that many such assistive products are sold at inflated prices and without after-sales support; notes the article in the Daily Mail on 18th March 2001 raising this issue in detail and bringing it to wider public attention;and calls on the Government first to promote the strengthening of existing Codes of Practice within the industry, secondly to promote the introduction of a mandatory Code of Practice for vendors of such equipment, in order that the often extremely vulnerable members of society who purchase assistive products are protected from such sales practices which often lead to much unnecessary expense and distress, and thirdly to support the establishment of advisory centres, independent from the manufacturers themselves, to which the purchasers of such equipment could turn for assistance in this regard.

This motion has been signed by a total of 69 MPs.