§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that persons who are both blind and deaf automatically qualify for an attendance allowance.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisWhile it is for the Attendance Allowance Board to decide whether any person satisfies the medical conditions for an attendance allowance, I was informed last year of the board's general view that a person 133W with no guiding vision and also no useful hearing would usually qualify for a certificate at least enabling the lower-rate allowance to be awarded.
I then informed all the major organisations representing the blind and the deaf that the board would reconsider new claims from likely beneficiaries whose claims had been rejected. I shall be grateful if my hon. Friend will let me have details of any particular case in mind.