§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest number of class 3 disabled war pensioners whose vehicles have been withdrawn on cessation of employment.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe number of vehicles withdrawn in these circumstances is negligible; but in a larger number of cases, for which precise figures are not available, a vehicle which has reached the end of its useful life has not been replaced.
§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans she has to increase the allowance and private car maintenance allowance payable to disabled war pensioners.
§ Mr. MeacherWe have no plans for that, but the Government are meeting the greatly increased cost of buying new cars for war pensioners and of anti-corrosion treatment which helps to minimise repair costs; both car holders and those who get a cash allowance in respect of their own cars enjoy exemption from the increased vehicle excise duty, and both, if they qualify for the new mobility 39W allowance, will have the choice of changing to it if they consider it more favour-able than vehicle scheme benefits.