HC Deb 24 November 1970 vol 807 cc215-6
11. Mr. Farr

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to secure the exemption from the payment of vehicle excise duty of those who are so badly disabled as, being unable to drive themselves, to require their husband or wife to do so.

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Mr. Farr

Will my hon. Friend be a little more forthcoming? Is he aware that a badly disabled man who has to have his wife drive him because he cannot drive himself has absolutely no compensation? Will he look into this again?

Mr. Macmillan

I have a great deal of sympathy for what my hon. Friend suggests. It is not a new suggestion; it has been raised on Finance Bills and in other ways for some time. There are, however, considerable difficulties both for the Treasury and for the Department of Health and Social Security in administration. The Department of Health and Social Security is constantly under pressure to extend its categories of disablement to take matters of this sort into account. I note my hon. Friend's suggestion, and it will be considered; but more than that I cannot say at this moment.

Mr. Carter-Jones

Is not the hon. Gentleman in a position now to do something about which he spoke when he was in opposition, when he supported the wonderful campaign conducted by his hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten), who has fought for years to secure relief for people of this sort? Does the hon. Gentleman realise that right hon. and hon. Members on both sides would agree that it is morally right, and some of us would like the Treasury to do some value analysis in the matter, bearing in mind that many disabled and handicapped people could make a great contribution if they could be driven by their wives and so take part in real work?

Mr. Macmillan

As I have said, there are great complications in exempting from vehicle licence duty unidentifiable vehicles which are used by handicapped people and others. Also, there are other aspects under present regulations of the problems faced by the disabled people whom we are considering, such as questions of parking, and being helped into buildings, which may sometimes require two people rather than one. All these matters are being considered.