§ 1. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further consideration he has given to the introduction of a special allowance for the blind.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe Government's strategy has been to provide non-meanstested social security benefits for the generality of disabled people and irrespective of the form or cause of their handicaps. Further progress must be constrained by the availability of resources.
I met representatives of national organisations representing the blind on 19th July. At our meeting, I explained that the Government were considering their response to the report of the Royal Commission on Civil Liability and Compensation for Personal Injury. I made it clear also that the possibility of a blindness allowance would be considered in this context and in the light of other competing claims, including those for the introduction of a "comprehensive disability allowance".