§ Dr. Winstanleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will seek to amend the attendance allowance regulations so as to enable seriously disabled persons suffering from incurable diseases and requiring attention during the day and night to qualify for the allowance before the expiry of six months from the development of the incapacity.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAttendance allowances were introduced to alleviate the burdens imposed by the long-term care of a severely disabled person. It was then agreed that six months was a reasonable test of what constitutes long-term care, whatever might be the nature of the disability or illness. As the hon. Member knows, we are now reviewing social security provisions for chronically sick and disabled persons as required by Section 36 of the Social Security Act 1973.