§ Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications from severely disabled people in Wales for the constant attendance allowance have been received; and how many have been successful, unsuccessful or are still under review.
§ Mr. DeanUp to 8th February about 11,500 claims for the new attendance allowance had been received from people in Wales. Of those dealt with at the initial stage 4,500 had been successful and 4,800 unsuccessful. Separate figures are not available for Wales about applications for review or their results, but, if they were available, they would increase the former and reduce the latter figure.
§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will ease the medical requirements for attendance allowance to bring in applicants who have mentally handicapped children; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DeanThe medical requirements for disabled children already cover the mentally as well as the physically disabled. It is estimated that several thousand parents are now drawing the allowance for mentally handicapped children who need attention by day and by night or who need continual supervision to avoid substantial danger.