§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make a statement about the Government's proposals for a mobility allowance for severely disabled people.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI am glad to be able to say that my right hon. Friend has
Announcement (date and reference) Measure Amount (£m.) in 1975–76 Current or Capital Official Report, 16th April 1975; Written Answers, Cols. 107–111. Scottish Transport Group Shipping Services. New annual grant to Caledonian MacBrayne Shipping Services. 2.5 Current grant. Official Report, 24th April 1975; Cols. 1,742–1,762. British Leyland … … … … 265.0 Capital. Official Report, 28th April 1975; Cols. 33–170. Employment Protection Bill … … 0.1 Current Official Report, 29th April 1975; Cols. 236–382. Community Land Bill … … … 0.1 Current Official Report, 30th April 1975; Cols. 482–614. Petroleum and Submarine Pipelines Bill … 100.0 (provisional) Capital. Official Report, 30th April 1975; Cols. 477–478. Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill … Nil — Official Report, 8th May 1975; Cols. 1,759–1,786. Northern Ireland (Shipbuilding) Order (financial assistance to Harland and Wolff Ltd.). 25.0 Both. Official Report, 6th and 8th May 1975; Cols. 427–523. Additional Expenditure on Energy and Technology Support Unit Harwell and Marine Technology Support Unit. 0.5 Current. Press Release, 12th May 1975 … Armed Forces Pay … … … … 213.8 Current. Official Report, 14th May 1975; Cols. 457–467. Ferranti … … … … … 15.0 Capital. Press Release, 14th May 1975 … Triang … … … … … up to 3.5 Both. Official Report, 20th May 1975; Written Answer. Increase in student grants from September 30.0 Current. All of these potential requirements were taken into account in preparing the fore-
664Wtabled an amendment to the Social Security Pensions Bill providing for a mobility allowance of £5 a week both for severely disabled adults of working age and for severely disabled children aged five or over, who are unable or virtually unable to walk. The new allowance will be available to those whose mobility handicap is likely to last for at least 12 months. It is intended that the mobility allowance should be phased in over approximately a three-year period, with payments to the first group starting at the beginning of 1976. The allowance is a most important advance for perhaps 100,000 severely disabled adults and children whose mobility needs are in no way met under the existing scheme for mobility help.