§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people who have applied under the mobility allowance regulations have chosen the mobility allowance and an invalid tricycle, respectively; and if he will break down each figure by age of the recipient and their ability or otherwise to drive an invalid tricycle.
§ Mr Alfred MorrisAn age breakdown is not available in respect of claims received for mobility allowance or the alternative invalid tricycle.
Of those in the currently eligible age group (15 to 50) who have so far received an award, namely, about 23,000, only 600 have chosen the tricycle. Experience shows that only a proportion of these will prove to able to control a tricycle.
The age breakdown of the 23,000 or so awards is as follows:
15–19 … … … … 2,713 20–24 … … … … 2,091 25–29 … … … … 2,348 30–34 … … … … 2,390 35–39 … … … … 2,616 40–44 … … … … 3,599 45–49 … … … … 5,475 50 … … … … 1,854 Separate age breakdowns within these figures for those claiming the allowance and those claiming the tricycle are not available.
Ability or otherwise to drive an invalid tricycle is not a material factor, and is not therefore investigated, in cases where the allowance is being claimed.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will allow all those who have had their invalid tricycles or cars or private car allowance removed or discontinued since 1st January 1976, on the grounds that they have left employment, to transfer to a mobility allowance with the same rights afforded
706Whow many there were in the comparable period.
§ Dr. OwenThe following are the numbers of maternity beds available in hospitals managed by the Liverpool Area Health Authority (Teaching):
to those in category 3 currently receiving assistance announced in his statement on 23rd July.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisWhere a beneficiary was awarded a car, a tricycle or a private car allowance under the pre-1976 vehicle scheme because he needed it for employment purposes and ceases to be employed, we shall not in future withdraw his benefit. Nor will the mobility allowance be withdrawn in these circumstances where it has replaced a vehicle service benefit. I shall also be considering carefully and sympathetically the position of those whose vehicle service benefit has been withdrawn, because of loss of employment, since 1st January.