§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Department of Health and Social Services bans diabetics from obtaining attendance allowance irrespective of their age or condition; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThere is no ban on diabetics receiving attendance allowance. A diabetic who satisfies the normal medical, residence and presence requirements will be entitled to the allowance.
The decision on whether a disabled person satisfies the medical requirements for the receipt of attendance allowance rests with the Attendance Allowance Board, a statutory body, which is composed of senior members of the medical profession and experienced persons from outside the medical profession, all of whom have a special interest in the needs of the disabled.