§ Mr. Scottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will extend the mobility allowance to people over pensionable age.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisWe have made it clear from the outset that the major advance in outdoor mobility help represented by the new mobility allowance could be achieved, at a time of considerable economic difficulty, only if we were prepared to do less than we would ideally have liked to do. The general limitation of the allowance to people below pensionable age reflects the very substantial extra cost—about £125 million—that would be involved if it were to cover people over that age.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have, so far, been denied mobility allowance on the grounds that their condition does not permit them from time to time to benefit from enhanced facilities for locomotion; and if he will describe 35W the conditions and circumstances which led to the decision in each case.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisSince the inception of mobility allowance, the number of people whose claims have been disallowed on these grounds is 47. I shall be in touch with my hon. Friend in due course about any useful general results that may emerge from an examination of these cases on which we had already embarked.