§ Lord TanlawMy Lords, 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 why mentally disabled rail passengers requiring an escort are not eligible for the disabled person's railcard.
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, it is for the British Railways Board to set the conditions of eligibility for the disabled persons railcard. However, I understand that mentally handicapped persons in receipt of an attendance allowance are eligible and that the board will keep the operation under review in order to see whether its scope could be widened.
§ Lord TanlawMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Minister for his Answer, which I regret may not be received with thanks by a number of parents of mentally handicapped children. Can he therefore say whether in the public transport industry there is in any way discrimination in outlook between physically handicapped and mentally handicapped passengers? I understand that British Rail took advice from the Department of Health and Social Security on this matter of principle.
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, the board did indeed take advice not only from the department but also from associations dealing with the disabled. The noble Lord perhaps does not do justice to what British Rail have done. In this International Year of Disabled People they have moved quite a long way towards helping the disabled. As I said in my original Answer, they have announced that the operation is under review. I am sure that what the noble Lord has said will be taken into account.
§ Lord TanlawMy Lords, does not the noble Earl consider it to be a little unfair that customers who purchase soap powders and other sundry consumer items are offered free tickets by British Rail? Could not this possibly be extended to the escort of mentally handicapped children?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, I understand that escorts are equally allowed half price fares. Again I can only bring this point to the attention of the British Railways Board.
§ Baroness FaithfullMy Lords, would not the Minister agree it is strange that under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 the mentally handicapped 752 are included as disabled people but that they are not included here?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, as I understand it, they are included. As I said in my original Answer, mentally handicapped persons in receipt of an attendance allowance are eligible. The only question arises when they are not in receipt of this attendance allowance.