HC Deb 11 April 1978 vol 947 cc1171-3
11. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the criteria used by his department in assessing the take-up of the disability allowance.

The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Alfred Morris)

There are a great many allowances for disabled people, and the criteria vary according to the purposes of each allowance. As to the take-up of the allowances, this is frequently reviewed and I am anxious to do all I can to ensure that every possible beneficiary receives all the allowances to which he or she is entitled. I am grateful for the help that I have received from hon. and right hon. Members in improving the take-up of allowances for disabled people, and will much appreciate any further help that they are able to give.

Mr. Whitehead

Will my hon. Friend consider particularly the position of blind people, who, at least in my area, have been turned down for most of the newer allowances, including the mobility allowance and the non-contributory invalidity pension, sometimes after only slapdash consideration? Would not a widening of the criteria for disability generally be of particular help to the blind?

Mr. Morris

Organisations representing blind people have made representations to the Prime Minister and I cannot anticipate his reply, but very careful consideration has been given to the claims of blind people. We do not underestimate their mobility problems, and they are included, for example, in the orange badge scheme. My right hon. Friend and I will bear in mind everything that my hon. Friend has said.

Mr. Dykes

Will the Minister at long last do something about the application forms for invalidity pensions, because they are very complicated, discriminate directly against women, and ask many unnecessary questions?

Mr. Morris

We are reviewing the application forms. We shall do so in consultation with the Disablement Income Group and the Disability Alliance. What the hon. Gentleman has said has been endorsed by other people and I shall have it fully in mind in the review.

Mr. Clemitson

Whatever the criteria, is my hon. Friend satisfied that they are being applied consistently and fairly?

Mr. Morris

That is an important point. We need rules in order to be consistent and equitable. We are trying in this area to meet infinite claims with finite resources. There are other groups, apart from those that have been mentioned, which are under consideration for help.

Mr. Newton

Does the Minister agree that among all the worries of the criteria for these allowances, one of the worst is that which is denying many kidney machine patients the attendance allowance? What progress has been made towards an appeal on this matter, and when does the Minister expect to be able to tell us more?

Mr. Morris

We are awaiting an application for leave to appeal to the National Insurance Commissioner on a question of law. A constituent of one of my hon. Friends is considering such an application. As I have explained before, we must not put the cart before the horse and it would be inappropriate for the Government to consider changing the law until we have the Commissioner's decision about whether the Board's interpretation of the law is correct.