§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the net costs, after taking into account savings on means tested benefits, if the blind person's tax allowance was converted into a cash benefit payable at (a) £2 a week and (b) £5 a week, to every registered blind person.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his reply, 2 February 1983, c. 113]: Estimated costs in a full year at 1982–83 income levels are given in the table: 175W
Option (a) £2 a week benefit £ million (b) £5 a week benefit £ million If cash benefit were taken fully into account in assessment of supplementary benefit 7 21 If cash benefit replaced supplementary benefit blindness addition 8 28 Note: These estimates do not take account of possible savings in family income supplement or housing benefit, as it is not known how many of these beneficiaries would qualify for a blindness allowance.