§ Lord FISHER of CAMDENasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they can give about the new organisation, Motability, and to what extent they are assisting in financing the organisation.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYMotability is an important new voluntary organisation. It aims to help disabled people in receipt of mobility allowance to obtain and run suitable cars either as drivers or as passengers when they are 443 unable to do so by themselves. The Government are providing practical administrative support for the organisation, including a grant towards expenses, and are watching its development with the closest interest. By the end of 1979, it is estimated that mobility allowance will be payable to 100,000 new beneficiaries and possibly 25,000 ex-vehicle scheme bene- 444 ficiaries. By increasing the value of mobility allowance to £10 a week from July 1978 the Government are putting potentially some £65 million a year in the hands of disabled people to spend with Motability if they so wish.
§ House adjourned at three minutes before nine o'clock.