§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what have been the amounts of "special additions" to supplementary benefit provided for blind persons since 1970 and the criteria for such payments; and when she expects to increase the current scale.
§ Mr. O'MalleyDuring the period in question the special rates which are payable to persons who are so blind as to be unable to perform work for which sight is essential exceed the scale rate for sighted persons by £1.25 for one blind person and £2.05 for a married couple both of whom are blind. We have no present plans to increase them.