HC Deb 01 March 1972 vol 832 cc129-30W
Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give an assurance that disabled drivers' vehicles, issued to people with some walking ability if they need them to get to full-time work, will not be withdrawn if the driver is temporarily unemployed; and if he will consider the criteria of employability potential, certified by the local office of the Department of Employment, as the yardstick in deciding whether the vehicle can be kept.

Sir K. Joseph

There is no intention to withdraw a vehicle from a person who is temporarily unemployed when there are reasonable indications of the likelihood of his resuming work. I am not prepared to tie myself to the precise machinery for determining this until some experience of operating the provision has been acquired.

Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the cost assistance for garaging a disabled driver's vehicle will continue for existing drivers even if they change their vehicle.

Sir K. Joseph

Yes—providing the vehicle continues to be kept in a garage.

Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in addition to the new £100 per annum allowance for a disabled driver running his own vehicle, the £90 adaption grant is still payable.

Sir K. Joseph

No.

Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether existing users of three-wheeler disabled drivers' vehicles will continue to receive the £5 per annum petrol allowance.

Sir K. Joseph

Yes: while they continue to have a petrol-driven three-wheeler.

Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether mothers with young children who qualify for a disabled driver's car will be able to keep the car as long as the child is still at school or in full-time education; and if he will make a statement.

Sir K. Joseph

No. The purpose ct this provision is to ensure that mothers who have children so young that they must be taken about with them can take them. Mothers with a child under 14 years of age will qualify. The vehicle will not be withdrawn immediately the youngest child reaches that age, but a replacement car will not thereafter be provided.