§ Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that there will be no withdrawal of vehicles, supplied under the Department's vehicles scheme, from severely disabled 144W war pensioners who are unable to work, or who may subsequently give up work.
§ Mr. AlisonI cannot undertake that no vehicle will in any circumstances be withdrawn, but the intention is certainly not to withdraw vehicles automatically on cessation of work. The circumstances will be carefully examined, and only when consideration has been given to all the facts, including any to which attention may be drawn by a voluntary association, will withdrawal be entertained. It must not be overlooked that a vehicle issued for the purpose of getting its user to work is provided to a person whose walking impediment would not otherwise qualify him for one, and that many with equal or greater disabilities do not get vehicles. Fairness to such people might argue against the automatic retention of vehicles in some instances where the person has stopped work.
§ Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the increased maintenance and running cost charges borne by severely disabled war-pensioners, soon to be added to by the imposition of value added tax, he will announce soon an increase in the allowance for this purpose.
§ Mr. AlisonThe car maintenance allowance is one of the contributions towards the motoring costs of a person eligible for a car from the Department. Other contributions are the costs of buying and insuring the cars, which have increased substantially. The maintenance allowance is not intended to represent any particular proportion of the motoring costs not already met by the Government. There is no present intention to increase it, but Lady Sharp will be free to comment on this feature of the vehicle arrangements and her advice will be carefully considered when it is received.