§ 53. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has now received the Disablement Income Group Occasional Paper on a National Disability Income; what representation he has received on this subject from the Disablement Income Group and other relevant organisations; and if he will 283W make a statement on the possible creation of a disability income.
§ Mr. DeanI have seen a copy of the occasional paper and I am fully aware of the views of the Disablement Income Group. I would refer the hon. Member to the steps which the Government have already taken and are taking to mark out the special position of the chronically sick and disabled, through the introduction last year of the invalidity benefit preferences and of the attendance allowance, and now through the proposed extension of the latter.