HC Deb 03 April 1979 vol 965 cc1141-3
1. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent consultations he has had with organisations representing the disabled.

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

I have frequent meetings with a wide range of organisations of and for disabled people. We consult them as a matter of course about major changes in policy and about proposed new regulations or circulars.

Mr. Marten

How many people are currently receiving mobility allowance? Secondly, what further plans does the Ministry have for supporting Motability? Can he give an assurance that when the cost of motor taxation rises, that will be taken into account in deciding levels of mobility allowance?

Mr. Morris

At the last date for which figures are available about 113,000 people were receiving mobility allowance. A grant of £288,000 was requested towards the administrative costs of Motability in 1979–80. The hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) and the House will be glad to learn that I have been able to approve a sum up to that amount. I can give a definite assurance that changes in taxation will be taken into account in the uprating of the mobility allowance, and also any increase in motoring costs.

Mr. Ashley

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many hon. Members appreciate the way that he keeps in close touch with voluntary organisations, but there are too many organisations in some fields that overlap and sometimes conflict? Will he recommend that some of these organiations amalgamate, become more powerful and help the Government to adopt a unified approach to disablement?

Mr. Morris

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his remark, and entirely agree that it would be better for disabled people if more voluntary organisations could think and act together. It is a poor Minister who lacks a strong pressure group. We should have the closest possible co-operation between voluntary organisations.

Mr. Newton

Does the Minister agree that amongst those who have trikes there is a high degree of anxiety about what is to replace them? Has he had consultations with those who run the replacement special vehicle project, and when does he expect to receive and publish the MIRA report on a possible alternative specialised vehicle?

Mr. Morris

I have been in touch with the project to which the hon. Member refers. It may be that we shall need more than one replacement specialised vehicle to meet fully the diversity of mobility needs among the disabled. Everything that the hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) and others have said on this important subject will be constantly taken into account.

Mr. Carter-Jones

Will my right hon. Friend consider that hon. Members would like to see a check list published in the Official Report of what has been achieved during his term of office; and will he also publish a list of those things that he has not done? Will he further ask the voluntary organisations to continue their pressure? Only they can influence us to do the things that we should be doing.

Mr. Morris

I have said that the voluntary movement is very important. The Secretary of State is to be congratulated on all the help that he has provided to sustain the voluntary movement in its activities. It would be impossible for me to publish an exhaustive list of new help for disabled people under the present Government. However, I shall bear in mind what my hon. Friend has said. He knows that I agree with him, but there is very much more to do in this area if we are to improve the well being and the status of disabled people in contemporary society.

Mrs. Chalker

Does the Minister accept that we agree with him that there is much more to be done in this field, but we feel strongly that this cannot occur until there is some growth in the economy? Will the Minister tell the House what progress has been made in his Department in examining a coherent disability costs allowance for the disabled when the economy improves?

Mr. Morris

In the debate on the report of the Pearson Commission we made it quite clear that we are looking carefully at the possibility of an allowance to help disabled people generally. We have had far too many elites in this area. Growth is desirable in the view of all hon. Members, but if there is any question of reducing public expenditure in my field it will be resisted strongly by the voluntary movement and by hon. Members on both sides of the House.