§ Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieuasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much he expects to save each year as a result of his decision last February to withdraw invalid vehicles from disabled people who cease work; and how many such vehicles have so far been withdrawn.
§ Mr. AlisonThe saving is likely to be small in the immediate future because the investigations including medical examinations, which are needed to avoid hardship, will take a long time to complete. In many instances, because cessation of work is associated with deterioration in walking ability, vehicles are not withdrawn and, indeed, fewer than a dozen so far have been. Financial saving is not the only or even the main reason for requiring a person, who would not otherwise qualify for a vehicle by reason of the limitation of his walking ability alone, to show that he still needs it to get to work. Unless a similar relaxation of walking standards were applied to others, who have never needed a vehicle to get to work, though they may have worked at great personal effort and are at least as severely disabled, unfairness must result. The cost of such a relaxation would be high.