HC Deb 06 February 1978 vol 943 c401W
Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will ensure that his proposed new regulations on mobility allowance recognise that the act of walking implies a mental element and that mobility allowance should be payable where this element is lacking thus rendering the claimant unable to walk.

Mr. Ennals

Mobility allowance is designed to help people who, because of physical disablement, are unable or virtually unable to walk. I would propose to ensure that in such cases where the disablement is physical in nature, irrespective of cause, or where a physical condition results in a mental handicap and the person as a consequence is unable or virtually unable to walk, the medical requirements will be satisfied. The new regulations are not intended to enable claims by those who are unable or virtually unable to walk because of mental disablement alone to succeed. This would be inconsistent with the provisions of the Social Security Act 1975.