Orange Badge Scheme

HC Deb 08 July 1980 vol 988 cc121-2W

Mr. Skinner

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider seeking to amend the orange badge scheme in England and Wales by abolishing the maximum parking time of two hours and bring it into line with the unlimited period allowed in Scotland.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

No. I believe that, on balance, the time limit of two hours represents a reasonable compromise between the needs of disabled people and the needs of other road users.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider seeking to amend the orange badge scheme by issuing only a removable orange disc for the windscreen of the car and withdrawing the orange card and clock card.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Orange badges are already removable. The clock card is necessary to enforce the two hour waiting restriction on yellow lines. I am considering whether the issue of the optional rear badge should be discontinued and its future use discouraged.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to include all the criteria governing the issue of orange badges in any circular distributed by his Department.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Any revised entitlement criteria will, as at present, be set out in the regulations governing the scheme. I am also considering whether any further guidance on the issue of badges is needed.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now extend the orange badge scheme to include the following groups: (a) disabled people in receipt of mobility allowance and people aged over 65 years who, but for their age, would be entitled to mobility allowance being unable or virtually unable to walk, and (b) disabled people who, while not being unable or virtually unable to walk, nevertheless experience considerable and non-temporary difficulty in walking.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I am at present giving further consideration to the eligibility criteria in the light of response to the Department's consultation letter. I have particularly noted the view which was expressed by many organisations representing disabled people that the original proposals in the letter would be too restrictive.