§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to complete the payment of claims for mobility allowance for disabled men and women up to the age of 64; how many claims will not be processed in time for payment at the appointed date; when will the claims not paid at the appointed date be paid; and if he will consider paying interest on the arrears.
§ Mr. PrenticeSo far, 15,000 claims from people aged 61 to 64 have been received. It is not possible to estimate when these and other claims from this age group can be cleared and payment made. However, I emphasise that all successful claims received before 28 November will receive all the money to which they are entitled, even if payment is not made until after that date.
I took the decision to complete the phasing-in of the allowance in one step in order to remove uncertainty about our intentions and fear on the part of some older people that further delays would mean that they would never be able to qualify for the allowance. Payment to them in due course is now guaranteed, but I see no justification for paying interest on late payments.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of extending the mobility allowance to persons presently aged over 65 years.
§ Mr. PrenticeIt is estimated that, at the rate of £12 a week applying from 14 November, the extra annual cost of extending mobility allowance to everyone aged over 65 years would be of the order of £300 million.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he intends to extend the mobility allowance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeMobility allowance will be exceeded from £10 to £12 a week from90W 14 November. It is at present being extended to those eligible up to the age of 65, instead of 60 as hitherto. I am afraid that financial restraints do not allow me to contemplate any further improvements in the foreseeable future.