§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he has given to the principle raised by the case of Mrs. Adele Steen of Nantwich for mobility help; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThis case raised the question whether a woman who was eligible for an invalid tricycle under the pre-1976 vehicle scheme should be able to have a car instead if she has a child as a result of a pregnancy which began before 1st January 1976. I have now decided that the rules concerning reserved rights of the old vehicle scheme beneficiaries should be interpreted in this more favourable way. For the sake of simplicity, and to ensure fairness in borderline cases, we shall now be ready to consider for a car under the old rules all cases where the child of a beneficiary of the pre-1976 scheme is born before 31st October, 1976. My Department is reviewing the case of Mrs. Steen and will review any other similar cases which are brought to notice.