HC Deb 20 March 1981 vol 1 c198W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will arrange for the physically disabled who receive a car or vehicle allowance to have this increased to account for the extra 20p tax on a gallon of petrol.

Mr. Rossi

The vehicle scheme allowances have never been linked directly either to the cost of petrol itself or to the levels of excise duty and value added tax. They have represented the highest possible rate having regard to the available resources and other competing claims upon them. The Government are, in fact, already absorbing substantial increases in the cost of cars, insurance, and in the service and maintenence of invalid three-wheelers.