Disabled Drivers: Orange Badge Scheme (Hansard, 3 May 1989)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)
My Lords, the Government announced on 25th April that they intend to improve the operation of the orange badge scheme by tightening eligibility criteria, by redesigning the badge to cut abuse, and by extending some of the parking benefits. These proposals will be discussed in more detail with the organisations involved.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his reply. Will the Government give high priority to reducing the scope for abuse? The interests of disabled people will suffer if the scheme falls into disrepute. In particular, the badge should be easily removable and should be in place only when the vehicle is being used by the disabled person.

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, the purpose of these changes is indeed to cut abuse of the system. These changes have been welcomed by disabled groups. To make it possible to remove the badge when not being used would have certain disadvantages. However, the new badge will emphasise the personal nature of these concessions.

Lord Winstanley
My Lords, if, as has been announced, entitlement to the orange badge is to be closely linked to qualification for the mobility allowance, will that not exclude the mentally handicapped? At present they are denied the mobility allowance because they can walk, although they do not always know in which direction they are walking. These are people who genuinely benefit 147 from possession of an orange badge. They should continue to be allowed to have one.

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, we shall not necessarily go to the mobility allowance standard. Our aim is to move closer to the mobility allowance standard; in other words, we are concerned with people who are unable, or virtually unable, to walk. We have accepted the Disabled People's Transport Advisory Council's view that badges should be generally restricted to people with severe mobility problems.

§ Lord Quinton
My Lords, might it be a good idea to incorporate a photograph in the badge of the disabled person to whom the badge is awarded? A person who is in a position to ascertain whether or not the badge is being correctly used will be able to do so at a glance.

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, indeed, yes. In fact the new badge design that we propose will include a photograph.

§ Lord Underhill
My Lords, I welcome the supplementary question of the noble Lord, Lord Campbell of Croy. Is it not a fact that the advisory council suggested that there should be a limit of four hours' parking instead of two hours' parking on yellow lines? That suggestion has been rejected in the proposed modifications. Consultations will take place with a view to increasing the two-hour limit to three hours. The four-hour period was rejected on the ground of congestion. Will this not affect the attendances of disabled persons at sporting and social occasions? There is little difference in congestion as a result of a four-hour limit rather than three hours. Can this matter not be left to the local highways committee to consider jointly with the police?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, it is true that the present limit is two hours. Our proposals would be to discuss with the local authority associations a possible extension to three hours. We believe that to increase the period to four hours would result in traffic management and congestion problems. However, we shall discuss these matters with the local authority associations.

§ Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone
My Lords, I ought to disclose an interest. I am the possessor of an orange badge. Does my noble friend agree that to tie this issue too closely to the mobility allowance would restrict and prevent a very large number of quite severely infirm people from moving about London at all? In particular I would find it difficult regularly to attend this House.

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, our proposal is that the people who most need the badges will still obtain them. The scheme is designed to help severely disabled people. But we must act to preserve the value of the scheme. The number of badges issued has been rising dramatically over the past few years. 148 The number could be 2 million in five years' time if we did nothing.

§ Lady Saltoun of Abernethy
My Lords, would it not be sensible to have permanent orange badges for people whose disabilities are permanent and irreversible?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I believe that at present the orange badges have a validity of three years. Our proposal would extend that period to five years. They need to be renewed occasionally, otherwise, for instance, if the person who has one dies someone else could continue using it.