§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the numbers of successful applicants for mobility allowance in each of the age groups which have been separately introduced into the scheme; on what dates between the present and the end of 1979 he intends to bring in each remaining age group; and how many additional people he expects will fall into each of those new groups.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisStatistics of awards of mobility allowance are grouped in four-year age bands which do not correspond precisely with the age groups introduced. The following figures are shown in the nearest corresponding age groups. The groups are set out in the order in which they were introduced into the scheme.
age 15–25 9,623 age 26–49 27,247 age 10–14 6,592 age 5–9 6,853 age 50–53 9,662 Total (at 25th November 1977) 59,977 The inclusion of further age groups depends largely on the availability of medical manpower and the correctness of our forecasts, but I have assured the 652W House that the phasing-in programme will be completed by the end of 1979. We expect a further 40,000 new beneficiaries to be included by that time.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of people who were below pensionable age on the date when mobility allowance was first paid to those in the first age band to be phased in but who will never receive the allowance because they will have reached pensionable age before they are due to be phased in; what is his estimate of the cost of backdating payments of mobility allowance for everyone to the date of the first payments; if he will take action to do this; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI regret it is not possible to make any precise estimate. As my hon. Friend knows, however, extending the upper age limit for the allowance is one of the competing priority areas for further improving the mobility allowance scheme which will be very carefully considered when resources permit. We are endeavouring to build on the scheme as quickly as we can as is clearly shown by my right hon. Friend's statement today.