§ Mr. Fairgrieveasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her best estimate of the numbers of severely han 428W dicapped children (a) in the categories used by Amelia Harris for adults in her national survey, (b) who are eligible for attendance allowance at either the higher or lower rate and (c) who will become eligible for the mobility allowance.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe information requested is as follows:
- (a) On the basis of a number of different studies and sources of data, the number of severely physically or mentally handicapped children, including both those living at home and those in residential care, is probably of the order of 100,000. This estimate is not directly comparable with Amelia Harris's estimate of the number of severely physically handicapped adults living at home.
- (b) As at 30th September 1975, higher rate attendance allowance was payable in respect of 22,200 children under the age of 16, and the lower rate allowance was payable in respect of 15,300 children. The number of lower rate awards continues to rise; and the eventual number of awards could be a few thousand higher than the current total.
- (c) The number of children who will qualify for mobility allowance in due course is unknown. It might be of the order of 30,000.