HC Deb 08 February 1977 vol 925 cc1211-4
7. Mr. David

Price asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will next review the level of the mobility allowance.

Mr. Alfred Morris

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer indicated in his statement to the House on public expenditure on 22nd July last, we propose to increase the rate of the mobility allowance in November of this year. I cannot add to that announcement at present, except to say that the review of the level of the allowance will be carried out in adequate time to bring in the increase from November.

Mr. Price

May I ask the Minister two quick questions in response to his reply? First, will he guarantee to the House that when the allowance is increased it will be sufficient to take care of the substantial inflation in travel costs? Secondly, will it be sufficient to assist disabled people to acquire a car, bearing in mind that the present allowance is too low to make that possible?

Mr. Morris

We are enjoined by legislation to have regard to the national economic situation as a whole, to the general standard of living and to such other matters as the Secretary of State thinks relevant. I cannot anticipate the review, but we have said repeatedly that we hope to be able to maintain the real value of the allowance and, if possible, to increase it. As for the hon. Gentleman's second question, I cannot go further than the terms of my right hon. Friend's letter to disabled drivers, except to say that I am closely in touch with the Central Council for the Disabled in respect of consideration of arrangements to help disabled drivers who want to purchase cars of their own.

Mr. Wigley

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that there is grave concern about the upper limits for the mobility allowance scheme and the delay in allowing it to people up to 60 and 65 years of age? Is he aware that there is particular concern about there being no intention to allow it to people over 65? Does he appreciate that in rural areas especially the mobility allowance is essential, and that it is even more essential in the age ranges to which I have referred? Will he give an assurance that the Government will move rapidly to extend the scheme in that direction?

Mr. Morris

It is a new allowance and I am glad to hear the hon. Gentleman say that it is an essential new benefit. I am under many pressures. There are those who want to extend the age range, there are those who want to include the blind and there are those who want to increase immediately the amount of allowance. We are in the process of trebling public expenditure on mobility for the disabled. I shall try my very best to help as many disabled people as I can to improve their mobility.

Mr. Tierney

Is my hon. Friend aware that the extension of outdoor mobility help for young people has been warmly received throughout the country? How many applications have been received for children between the ages of 5 and 10?

Mr. Morris

At this moment about 9,000 applications are being processed. For the most part, they are on behalf of children in the 5 to 10 years age group. As the House will know, the benefit will be paid to children in that age group from 13th April 1977. I am most grateful to right hon. and hon. Members on both sides of the House for the help they have given in publicising the extension of the mobility allowance to severely disabled children.

Mr. Giles Shaw

As regards the capital purchase of vehicles for the disabled, what precisely are the recommendations given to hire-purchase companies? There appears to be grave doubt as to whether they have offered real relaxation of their terms.

Mr. Morris

There should not be any doubt about the lifting of hire-purchase controls in the case of disabled persons wishing to buy cars by that means. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular difficulty in mind concerning one of his constituents, I shall be glad to examine it. When I referred to hire-purchase arrangements, I was doing so in the context of the excellent work now being undertaken by the Central Council for the Disabled.

Mrs. Bain

I appreciate the difficulties that the Minister faces in trying to extend the mobility allowance even further, but will he look seriously at the problem of youngsters under the age of five, particularly where there is a short life expectancy and where the offer of the mobility allowance would be of great assistance to young mothers who find themselves in awkward situations?

Mr. Morris

I am mindful of that problem. I shall do whatever I can to extend mobility help. The hon. Lady, who takes a personal interest in these matters, will appreciate the clamant pressures that one has from people who have had no help before but who think that they should be helped under this new scheme.

Mr. Park

Without wishing to detract from the mobility allowance scheme, may I ask what progress has been made in finding a suitable alternative invalid vehicle?

Mr. Morris

My right hon. Friend has said that we accept that when it is no longer possible to replace the invalid tricycle for the disabled driver who still wants a specialised vehicle—we accept that there will be a continuing demand for specialised vehicles—we shall examine the home and world markets to help such people. I cannot go very much further than that today. My hon. Friend may be well assured that we are determined not to immobilise anyone who is mobile now. However, we must have in mind that there are people whose advancing disabilities make it impossible for them to continue to drive. The mobility allowance will be available to them in future.