HL Deb 04 August 1980 vol 412 cc1254-6

2.50 p.m.

Lord ALLEN of ABBEYDALE

My Lords, I am sorry to have to bring the House back to earth, and I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have come to any conclusion on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Civil Liability (which was set up after the thalidomide tragedy) for a new disability allowance for severely handicapped children.

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

My Lords, the economic situation does not allow for the introduction of new benefits for disabled people or for the extension of scope of existing ones. We have noted the recommendations of the Royal Commission and will bear them in mind in seeking to meet our long-term objective of some form of general disablement benefit.

Lord ALLEN of ABBEYDALE

My Lords, while I thank the noble Lord for that reply, which falls some way short of the ideal, may I ask if he is aware that the Royal Commission estimated that there were some 100,000 children suffering from severe mental or physical handicap, that the strain on the family was immense and that the Royal Commission were unanimous in thinking that a substantial gap remained after taking account of all the existing forms of support? Is there any possibility of the Government thinking further about the principle involved in a compassionate society such as ours?

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

My Lords, the noble Lord is referring to one of 188 recommendations made by the Royal Commission, three of which were concerned specifically with children. The recommendation was for a new nontaxable disability income of £4 per week for all severely handicapped children, payable from age two, as an addition to child benefit. Unhappily, that would probably entail about 10,000 children and would cost £21 million. There is nothing more boring than going on saying we cannot afford it, but I am afraid that is what I must say.

Lord HOOSON

My Lords, may I ask the Minister to ask the Government to reconsider the matter? Although this may be but one of many recommendations, it is one with the highest priority, and the majority of people in this country no longer feel that in order to have adequate financial support for severely handicapped children it should be necessary for their parents, their best friends, next-door neighbours or whoever it may be to prove fault or blame, yet it is at present only through proving fault or blame that they are entitled to reasonable financial support. Is he aware that the whole community feels that this should be a priority?

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

The Government are by no means unsympathetic to this, my Lords; in fact very much the opposite. I would point out that in considering our long-term objectives, we shall have to decide whether any scheme can be introduced as a whole or whether public expenditure implications will dictate that certain sectors of the disabled population should be given priority; if necessary, all such claims, including those of disabled children, will be considered very carefully. I would add that if a disabled child meets the criteria for receipt of attendance allowance at the higher rate and of mobility allowance, then, from November of this year,£36.15 a week will be payable together with child benefit of £4.75.

Baroness FAITHFULL

My Lords, I wonder whether it is fully appreciated that the first of the thalidomide children are now adolescents and will soon be coining up to leaving school. Is my noble friend aware that with unemployment as it is in this country, and bearing in mind the needs of adolescents who are thalidomide cases, there is great need for extra help and support?

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

I entirely agree with my noble friend, my Lords, and while what she says is a well known fact to my right honourable friend, I will pass on her remarks.

Lord SEGAL

My Lords, would the Government consider whether this particular recommendation of the Royal Commission could be synchronised with the next fall in minimum lending rate?

Lord CULLEN of ASH BOURNE

That is rather above my form, my Lords.