§ Mr. Crowderasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will reconsider the decision to reduce by £25 per annum the maintenance allowance paid under the invalid vehicle scheme, now that garaging is no longer required, in view of the substantial increase, since the introduction of the maintenance allowance, of all other costs involved in running and maintaining a vehicle.
§ Mr. AlisonNo. Even on this basis it would still be necessary to maintain a differential for those required to meet the cost of garaging. Any further changes in 265W our arrangements must await the outcome of the review which Lady Sharp is conducting.
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost to public funds during the last year to operate the scheme whereby his Department assisted disabled persons with the cost of providing garages for their invalid cars.
§ Mr. AlisonDisabled persons to whom cars were issued up to last February received and will continue to receive contributions towards their running costs from which they are required to meet the cost of garaging them. The garaging element is not separately identified in the contribution.
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria his Department employed in deciding that the provision of garages to protect vehicles provided by his Department for invalids was economically unjustified.
§ Mr. AlisonExpert advice indicated that the loss in value through accelerated deterioration was likely to be less than the cost of providing and maintaining garages and the associated works. It was therefore decided in future to relieve public funds of this liability in respect of three-wheelers and public funds and individuals in respect of the cars issued to them.