§ 39. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what level of constant attendance allowance he proposes for the very severely disabled, as proposed in the White Paper, Command No. 3883.
§ 40. Mr. Worsleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how he proposes to define disability for the purposes of granting attendance allowances, as proposed in the White Paper, Command Paper No. 3883.
§ Mr. EnnalsI would refer the hon. Members to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Somerset 31 North (Mr. Dean) on 3rd February.—[Vol. 777, c. 31–2.]
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonHas the hon. Gentleman any idea about when the nationwide survey conducted by the Government Social Survey will be available, as decisions on these matters will obviously be of great importance?
§ Mr. EnnalsIt will be received, at the earliest, in the summer, and it will be on the basis of this that we will be reaching conclusions concerning the disability allowance.
§ Mr. WorsleyThe hon. Gentleman will be aware of the problems of definition which have often been used as a reason for not making such a benefit. Could he say whether he visualises a single definition of disability to cover all the pension schemes to which this applies?
§ Mr. EnnalsI cannot give an answer to that, but this is a matter for debate in looking at the scheme when it is put forward. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this is very much a part of the proposals put forward in the White Paper.
§ Lord BalnielWhen will the attendance allowance be introduced—at the same time as the increase in pensions which we expect in the autumn?
§ Mr. EnnalsI cannot give the hon. Gentleman an answer.