HC Deb 12 November 1981 vol 12 c169W
Mr. John Browne

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will consider either extending or adapting the present mobility allowance to help alleviate the disability of blindness.

Mr. Rossi

Mobility allowance is payable to people who become unable or virtually unable to walk before the age of 65. The Government have no plans for extending its scope. To pay an allowance equal to the mobility allowance to all registered blind people would cost about £100 million a year. I regret that such additional expenditure cannot be contemplated at present.