§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in each year since the introduction of mobility allowance have been refused the allowance on the grounds that their condition would not permit them to benefit from enhanced facilities for locomotion; how many such decisions were reversed on appeal each year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe numbers refused the allowance on the grounds that their condition would not allow them to benefit enhanced facilities for locomotion are as follows:
1976 41 1977 75 1978 48 1979 89 1980 (to date) 75 We do not keep records of the number of appeals made in these cases nor, consequently, of the outcome.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the costs for 1979–80 and a full financial year of phasing in the mobility allowance for people between 60 and 65 years of age in one tranche instead of two as was previously proposed.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe previous Administration had not announced the dates on which they were intending to introduce the final two stages of the phasing-in of mobility allowance. It is not possible, therefore, to make the estimates requested.