§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans he has to introduce measures to ensure that individuals who qualify for mobility allowance will continue to receive this allowance beyond their 75th birthday;
(2) what plans he has to ensure that pensioners, over 65 years of age, who otherwise would qualify for mobility allowance, will not be disqualified on grounds of age.
§ Mr. NeedhamMobility allowance can be paid only if the claim is made before age 66. However, people who have applied for and been awarded mobility allowance can continue to get it until age 80.
There are no plans to change the existing rules as it is intended to replace mobility allowance with a new disability living allowance.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals in Northern Ireland received mobility allowance in each year since 1985; and how many applications for mobility allowance were turned down in each of the years.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information requested is as follows:
213W
Mobility allowance Year Number of recipients Number of claims disallowed 1985 9,312 2,363 1986 10,470 2,597 1987 11,339 2,770 1988 12,616 3,462 1989 14,385 4,497