§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the new mobility allowance, though payable to children below working age, is not payable to men over 65 years and women over 60 years (a) while still in employment, and (b) drawing retirement pensions.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe mobility allowance is not primarily directed towards enabling disabled people to get to work. It has the much wider aim of helping them to get out and about, to be physically in the community as well as members of it, whether or not they are able to do a job. The restriction to those under pension age is regrettably necessary so as to contain expenditure within acceptable limits. It is estimated that to include people over pension age might increase expenditure on mobility help for disabled people, which is already being trebled, a further four times.