HC Deb 01 February 1972 vol 830 cc53-4W
23. Mr. Bidwell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many appeals against refusal of constant attendance allowance were successful during November and December last.

Sir K. Joseph

From 3rd November to 4th January just over 2,000 people qualified for attendance allowance following a successful application for review.

28. Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will introduce legislation to extend the constant attendance allowance benefit to cover for families with babies where the mother has died in childbirth.

Sir K. Joseph

No. The attendance allowance is designed for people who need to be looked after because they are severely disabled physically or mentally.

36. Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many constant attendance allowance grants have been made in respect of children with spina bifida; and how many applications for a constant attendance allowance have been refused with regard to cases of spina bifida since the introduction of the constant attendance allowance.

Sir K. Joseph

I regret that figures of awards of attendance allowance relating to particular causes of disability will not be available for some time.

43. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for widening the criteria of eligibility for the constant attendance allowance under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970.

45. Mr. Willey

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now make a statement on the representations he has received from the Disabled Income Group about widening the scope of the attendance allowance.

Sir K. Joseph

I cannot add to my reply to Questions on Tuesday, 21st December, 1971.—[Vol. 828, c. 1284–6.]