§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Disablement Income Group about advancing the date of application for, and payment of, the attendance allowance at the lower rate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephI would refer the hon. Member to my announcement earlier today, during the debate on the Second Reading of the National Insurance Bill, that the starting date for paying the lower-rate attendance allowance for children is to be brought forward from December to 1st October. Arrangements are now being made to invite claims from parents and others caring for severely disabled children in good time for this. If later we find that it is possible to bring forward the scheduled dates next year for payment to those aged 65 and over, we shall of course do so.