§ Mr. Buchananasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what allowances will be paid to a congenitally disabled person, living alone, and requiring the assistance of a nurse and housekeeper;
(2) what allowances will be paid to a severely disabled person who was earning £25 per week, who was living alone and who required the assistance of a nurse and a housekeeper.
§ Mr. DeanSuch a person, if aged 16 or over, will be eligible for a supplementary allowance, the amount of which will depend upon his resources and on is requirements, including his rent and any special needs for which provision can be made under the Supplementary Benefits Commission's discretionary powers. In addition, in cases of very severe disablement, attendance allowances of £4.80 a week may be payable from December, 1971. If the housekeeper is a relative she also will be eligible for supplementary allowance, provided that the disabled person needs full-time care and is not able to pay for her services.
In the case of the severely disabled person who had previously been earning £25 a week, thte national insurance sickness benefit (including earnings-related supplement) payable would on present rates be £10.33 a week during the first six months of sickness. After six months on sickness benefit he would, providing he had previously been working and contributing for at least three years, under the proposals in the National Insurance Bill from this September normally become entitled to invalidity pension at £6 a week plus an invalidity allowance of up to £1 a week depending upon the age at which he became chronically sick. These amounts would be taken fully into account in assessing his entitlement to supplementary benefit.