§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the maximum level of the vehicle service benefits 186W available to disabled persons over pension age; and how the level of this benefit has changed since it was first introduced.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe vehicle service scheme was superseded on 1st January 1976 by the mobility allowance scheme which provides a cash benefit, with the choice of an invalid tricycle as an alternative for disabled people up to pension age. For those who qualified under the vehicle service scheme the benefits of a tricycle, or of a car for certain specified categories or a private car allowance of £100 a year with exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty, continue to be available as reserved rights to disabled people, regardless of age. The level of private car allowance has remained unaltered since it was introduced under the vehicle service scheme. Vehicle Excise Duty exemption continues to be available to certain disabled passengers over pension age whether or not they qualified before 1st January 1976.