§ Mrs. Peacockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will allow war pensioners who have a car on loan from his Department under the war pensioners vehicle scheme to buy that car if they opt to switch to the new war pensioners mobility supplement instead.
§ Mr. NewtonFrom 21 November the Department will no longer issue cars on loan to war pensioners. Instead, they will receive the new mobility supplement of £21.15 a week. Pensioners who already have a caron loan will be able to keep it until the end of its useful life, if they wish. Alternatively, they can switch, without further medical examination. to the new cash supplement at any time.
When a pensioner with a car on loan opts to switch to the new supplement, he may purchase the car if he so wishes. The price of the car will be derived from the trade price.
575WThe Department will be sending a letter explaining the position to all war pensioners who now have cars on loan. Similar arrangements have been made in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.