HC Deb 11 June 1975 vol 893 cc505-7

'(1) In Chapter II of Part II of the principal Act (non-contributory benefits) the following is inserted after section 37— Mobility allowance. 37A.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a person who satisfies prescribed conditions as to residence or presence in Great Britain shall be entitled to a mobility allowance for any period throughout which he is suffering from physical disablement such that he is either unable to walk or virtually unable to do so. (2) Regulations may prescribe the circumstances in which a person is or is not to be treated for the purposes of this section as suffering from such physical disablement as is mentioned above; but a person qualifies for the allowance only if—

  1. (a) his inability or virtual inability to walk is likely to persist for at least 12 months from the time when a claim for the allowance is received by the Secretary of State; and
  2. (b) during most of that period his condition will be such as permits him from time to time to benefit from enhanced facilities for locomotion.
(3) The weekly rate of a mobility allowance shall be that specified in Schedule 4 to this Act, Part III, paragraph 3A. (4) No person shall be entitled to a mobility allowance—
  1. (a) in respect of a period in which he is under the age of 5 or over pensionable age;
  2. (b) except in prescribed cases, for any week before that in which a claim for the allowance by or in respect of him is received by the Secretary of State.
 (5) Regulations may prescribe cases in which mobility allowance is not to be payable, or is to be payable at a reduced rate, while the person otherwise entitled has the use—
  1. (a) of an invalid carriage or other vehicle provided by the Secretary of State under section 33 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968; or
  2. (b) of any prescribed description of appliance supplied under the enactments relating to the National Health Service.
 (6) Except so far as may be provided by regulations, the question of a person's entitlement to a mobility allowance shall be determined as at the date when a claim for the allowance is received by the Secretary of State. (7) A payment to or in respect of any person by way of a mobility allowance, and the right to receive such a payment, shall (except in prescribed circumstances and for prescribed purposes) be disregarded in applying any enactment or instrument under which regard is to be had to a person's means.". (2) In Part III of Schedule 4 to the principal Act there is inserted:— 3A. Mobility allowance … £5". (3) Regulations may make provision—
  1. (a) for permitting a claim for a mobility allowance to be made, or treated as if made, for a period beginning after the date on which the claim is made;
  2. (b) for permitting an award on any such claim to be made for a period beginning after the date on which the claim is made subject to the condition that the person in respect of whom the claim is made satisfies the prescribed requirements for entitlement when benefit becomes payable under the award;
  3. (c) for the review of any such award if those requirements are found not to have been satisfied.
 (4) Regulations may provide for disqualifying a person for receiving a mobility allowance for a period not exceeding six weeks on any disqualification if he fails without good cause to attend for, or to submit himself to, such medical or other examination or treatment as may be required in accordance with the regulations. (5) In the case of regulations under section 114(1) of the principal Act (determination of questions), so far as they relate to any question arising in connection with mobility allowance, subsection (3) of that section (determination of questions by Secretary of State's officer; reference of question to local tribunal, etc.) shall not apply. (6) Section 139 of the principal Act (consultation with National Insurance Advisory Committee) shall not apply to any regulations contained in an instrument which states that they relate only to mobility allowance and are made consequentially on the introduction of the allowance'.—[Mrs. Castle.]

Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill.

'47A. In section 125(1) of that Act, in paragraph (a) for the words "the sum specified in Part III for" there shall be substituted the words" the sums specified in Part III for mobility allowance and".
47B. In section 135(2) of that Act, after paragraph (c) there shall be inserted—" (cc) a mobility allowance".
47C. In section 145(1) of that Act, after paragraph (b) there shall be inserted "(bb) payments to or in respect of persons suffering from physical disability such that they are unable to walk or virtually unable to do so"'.—[Mrs. Castle.]
Mr. Norman Fowler

I beg to move, as an amendment to the proposed amendment, sub-amendment (a), to leave out lines 1 to 3.

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