HC Deb 29 July 1980 vol 989 cc1277-9
13. Mr. Allan Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes, if any, have been made in the method by which his Department assesses people's entitlement to mobility and attendance allowances.

Mr. Prentice

Claims to mobility and attendance allowances are decided not by the Department but by independent adjudicating authorities statutorily appointed for the purpose. There have been no general changes in their interpretation of the law relating to these allowances.

Mr. Roberts

If the Minister is correct in claiming that there have been no changes in the law or in the instructions from the Department, will he explain why many of my constituents, who previously received the attendance and mobility allowances for years, have had them withdrawn on review even though their circumstances have not altered, except perhaps to deteriorate? If he does not believe that the regulations have been altered, will he intervene to prevent this from happening? If he refuses to do so, will he not be admitting that he is party to the withdrawal of the mobility and attendance allowances?

Mr. Prentice

I can only give an opinion on a particular case if it is put to me. Even then I should have to reassert that the independent adjudicating authority makes the decision. The hon. Gentleman wrote to me recently about a constituent. In that case, the attendance allowance board looked at it again, and the allowance is now being paid.

Mr. Alexander

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that there is a great deal of concern among the parents of mentally handicapped children about the working of the Mobility Allowance Amendment Regulations 1979? Does he further appreciate that the need for a mobility allowance by parents of teenage children with irrational and irregular walking habits is often as desperate as that of parents with children with more conventional types of handicap?

Mr. Prentice

Many teenage children receive the mobility allowance. They must meet the test that is applied to older people—namely, that they cannot walk or are virtually unable to do so. The allowance does not depend on the nature of their disability.

Mr. Snape

What proportion of applications are turned down at the first stage? Do not many deserving applicants fail to reapply or appeal once they have been turned down? Will he publish figures showing how many people initially apply, and how many receive the allowances once they have gone through all the procedures?

Mr. Prentice

The proportion of those who receive attendance allowance on their first application is about 75 per cent. I do not have the equivalent figure for mobility allowance, but I shall look it up and let the hon. Gentleman know. All hon. Members should encourage applicants to ask for a review or a repeal of their case if they feel that they have a claim, or that their claim has been wrongly turned down.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

I have listened carefully to my right hon. Friend's answers, but does he not agree that many sad and tragic cases come to the attention of hon. Members? Does not he further agree that those who deal with such individuals at first hand, such as general practitioners, home helps and other members of the social services departments of county councils, know best an individual's circumstances and whether he or she deserves a mobility or attendance allowance? Will he review the matter and place more importance on the opinions expressed by those who deal with such individuals at first hand?

Mr. Prentice

A general practitioner, a social worker or anyone else can submit evidence to the adjudicating authorities. That happens every day. I am sure that the evidence submitted is taken fully into account.