§ Mr. Thorpeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations she has received from the Disabled Drivers Association regarding the new mobility scheme; and what proposals she has for meeting these objections.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI recently met the association's chairman, who drew my attention to what he regards as shortcomings of the mobility allowance scheme. The essence of the association's comments is that the allowance should be at once very much higher and available to many more people. I have explained that the mobility allowance scheme represents, particularly in the present economic244W situation a significant increase in public expenditure.
It is estimated that the Department will be trebling its expenditure on mobility help for disabled people, when the scheme is in full operation, and that we will be giving mobility help for the first time ever to an extra 100,000 people, including severely disabled children. The right hon. Gentleman may wish to know that the new mobility scheme has been welcomed as an important step forward by many representatives of disabled people.