§ Mr. McCartneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total Government expenditure on outdoor mobility help for the disabled as at the first full year preceding 28th February 1974 and in the most recent full year, respectively.
§ Mr. Alfred Morris£9.28 million in the financial year 1972–73 and £13.19 145W million in the financial year 1974–75, in England.
§ Mr. McCartneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her estimate of the total cost of implementing in full the outdoor mobility proposals contained in Lady Sharp's Report on Mobility for the Disabled.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAt the date of her report, Lady Sharp herself estimated a net additional cost for her proposals of £3 million. We did not regard these proposals as acceptable and have made no alternative estimate.
§ Mr. McCartneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it was necessary for a disabled person to be able to drive in order to benefit under the outdoor mobility help scheme operative until 31st December 1975.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisYes, except for war pensioners. There is, however, a limited form of help available by way of exemption from vehicle excise duty for certain disabled passengers. A few others who cannot drive benefit through the arrangements to provide a shared car where two disabled relatives, only one of whom needs to be a driver, live in the same household.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will confirm that no disabled persons who have been up to now eligible for assistance when needing mobility for employment or carrying out household duties need be worse off after the introduction of the mobility allowance scheme.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAnyone whose eligibility for existing vehicle service benefits has been established under the vehicle service arrangements will continue to be eligible for those benefits, after the introduction of the mobility allowance scheme, as long as the vehicle service conditions continue to be satisfied.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will clarify the position regarding applications for mobility help by the disabled to her Department before the 31st December 1975 which will have not been determined by that date.
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§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAll recommendations received by the Department up to and including 2nd January 1976 will be considered in the usual way and, if eligibility under the existing scheme is established, mobility help will be given under the provisions of that scheme.