HC Deb 07 April 1976 vol 909 cc183-4W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) upon what grounds disabled people aged over 50 years are excluded from the payment of the mobility allowance;

(2) how many persons aged 50 years and over she estimates are excluded from the payment of the mobility allowance.

Mr. Alfred Morris

The mobility allowance scheme does not exclude people aged over 50 years, indeed, it is estimated that upwards of 50,000 disabled people between the age of 50 and pension age will eventually qualify for the allowance. The introduction of the allowance has had to be phased because of the scale of work involved in a scheme for so many new beneficiaries. Claims to mobility allowance from disabled people aged 15–50 are being taken now; claims for children aged 5 to 14 will be taken next; and claims from those between 50 and pension age will follow. The decision to limit entitlement to people below pension age was an extremely difficult decision to make; but one that had to be taken in order to achieve any real progress. My hon. Friend will be pleased to learn that we hope to build on the scheme when additional resources can be made available.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to enable disabled persons to obtain hand-control equipment, for the conversion of ordinary vehicles for use by the disabled, by means of direct social security financial assistance.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Grants towards the cost of converting cars to hand controls were discontinued in 1972, when the private car allowance was introduced in their place. Social security provision of mobility help for disabled people is now being phased-in through the mobility allowance, which the beneficiary can use in whatever way is most appropriate to his or her needs.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to allow those persons in receipt of mobility allowance a free road fund licence.

Mr. Denzil Davies

I have been asked to reply.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 5th February.—[Vol. 904, c. 703.]