§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the progress made by Motability.
§ Mr. EnnalsI understand that Motability is today issuing details of a scheme which will enable recipients of mobility allowance to lease a car at favourable rates. Details of the car leasing scheme are being placed in the Library. Priority will be given to people aged 16–19 and to those who need a vehicle to get to work or to approved training, but other groups will be phased in as soon as possible. Motability has thus taken a big step towards its objective of enabling disabled people who want to use their mobility allowance to obtain a vehicle to get maximum value for their money in doing so. I should like to pay a warm tribute to the work of Lord Goodman and his colleagues and welcome the co-operation they have received from all the interests with whom they are in touch.
I have, at Motability's request, referred to the National Insurance Advisory Committee amending regulations which will allow the Department of Health and
Earnings Employer Employer £ £ £ February 1974 … … … 47.32 3.20 2.76 Current tax year … … … 87.23 8.72* 5.67 *Excludes the national insurance surcharge payable by employers from April 1977. This forms part of general tax revenue and is not for national insurance purposes. The figure of £8.72 is increased to £10.47 by the current 2 per cent. surcharge and would be further increased to £12.65 from October next under the changes announced on 8th June.