§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to make an announcement about the discussions between his Department and the 405W Central Council for the Disabled about a scheme for commutation of the mobility allowance so that disabled car drivers can get a lump sum in advance with which to buy and modify a car; and what lump sum he has in mind.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI have no further statement to make at present.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give details of the assumptions upon which the figures for the numbers in receipt of mobility allowance are based for the six years 1975–76 to 1980–81 in Chapter 12 of both Command Paper No. 6393 and Command Paper No. 6721;
(2) whether the revised estimates of numbers receiving mobility allowance in Chapter 12 of Command Paper No. 6721 over Command Paper No. 6393 reflect the effect of those transferring to mobility allowance under the terms of the Social Security (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, or whether there has been a revision in the estimates of numbers expected to qualify under the original criteria; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe estimates given in Chapter 12 of Command Paper No. 6393 for the numbers in receipt of mobility allowance in each of the years 1975–76 to 1979–80 were based on an even intake of claims during a roughly three-year period from January 1976, and on the earliest estimates about the eventual number of beneficiaries. The revised estimates given in Chapter 12 of Command Paper No. 6721-11 result from (a) a more realistic estimate of new beneficiaries derived inter alia from experience of actual take-up; (b) the revised take-on completion date (the end of 1979); and (c) a speculative allowance for transfers from the vehicle service, which takes account of the wider freedom to transfer conferred by the terms of the Social Security (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. It is impossible to predict at this stage with any degree of precision either the eventual total number of beneficiaries or the number of beneficiaries at any in-between point.