§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many gallons of standard grade petrol could be bought with the disabled drivers' fuel allowance when it was first introduced; and how many gallons it will buy at present.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAn earlier petrol allowance, of £5 per year, was discontinued for new cases by the previous Administration with effect from February 1972.
The present petrol allowance of £10 a year was introduced in November 1974 to provide a partial exemption from the effect of the additional value added tax imposed as an energy conservation measure. About 16 gallons could be purchased with the restored allowance in November 1974 and about 12 gallons at present.