HC Deb 15 May 1972 vol 837 cc37-8W
Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether disabled people who retire from work are required to surrender their invalid vehicles;

(2) what categories of people qualify for invalid vehicles.

Mr. Alison

The following are eligibleCategory 1. Those with amputations of both legs, one being above or through the knee. Category 2. Those with a defect of the loco-motor system or with a severe chronic lung or heart condition who to all intents and purposes are unable to walk. without any charge for lenses or frames was about 50,000. In addition, lenses were supplied without charge to more than 150,000 children.

About 46 per cent. of the nearly 24 million courses of dental treatment and cases of emergency treatment in Great Britain in 1971 were for people who are completely exempt from dental charges or are exempt from all charges except those for dentures.

The numbers of persons given help from the Supplementary Benefits Commission towards charges payable for glasses and for dental treatment in Great Britain in the nine weeks ending 21st March, 1972, were about 140,000 and 80,000 respectively.