§ 66. Mr. Mike Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the further implementation of new benefits for the disabled.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisOur new non-contributory invalidity pension first became payable in November. The number of beneficiaries is continuing to rise.
Mobility allowance became payable to the 15 to 25 age group in January and was extended to adults up to age 50 in April. Announcements about the timetable for extension to children and to the over-50 age group will be made later.
The new invalid care allowance will become payable in July. The fourth new benefit, already on the statute book and to be implemented as part of our 113W phased programme, is the non-contributory invalidity pension for housewives which is due to start in 1977–78.