§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the general benefits and (b) the specific benefits available to blind persons in each of the European Economic Community countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiI assume the hon. Member refers to social security and social assistance benefits. The main social security benefits for disabled people are not based on particular types of disability in any of the countries of the European Community. Details of these benefits are set out in "Social Benefit Tables for Member States of the European Communities: Position at 1 January 1980" prepared by the Department, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
I understand that the following benefits are available specifically for the blind:
Belgium: A means-tested social assistance benefit and costs of attendance of third parties if disability is assessed to be at least 30 per cent.
Denmark: An assistance allowance, in addition to the basic rate of pension, for invalidity pensioners who are blind or suffering from severe loss of sight.
Germany: A means-tested blind person's allowance.
France: A means-tested allowance payable to the blind and other severely disabled persons.
Ireland: A means-tested pension subject to five or more years' residence in Ireland.
Luxembourg: A means-tested benefit under public assistance legislation.
United Kingdom: Additions to supplementary benefit where claimants themselves or their spouses are blind.
As the hon. Member knows, it is the Government's long-term aim to introduce a coherent system of benefits for all disabled people including the blind. Progress towards this objective depends upon success in strengthening the economy.