§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had about winding up the Employment Services Agency's fares-to-work scheme, which succeeds in helping only a handful of people, and transferring its budget and responsibilities to the new charitable body Motability; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that since the introduction of mobility allowance and the decision to phase out trikes, officials of the Employment Service Agency have had a series of meetings 823W with officials of DHSS to consider the future application of a revised fares-to-work scheme. DHSS has kept ESA fully informed about the negotiations which led to the setting up of Motability and it has been agreed that there will be a continuing need for the fares-to-work scheme. In particular there will still need to be special provision under the fares-to-work scheme for a small number of employed severely disabled people who experience serious problems in getting to and from work but do not receive mobility allowance.