§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the representations that have been made to him from associations representing the interests of disabled people requesting him to end the discrimination which exists between married women and men and single women when making applications to be recognised for invalid care allowance and non-contributory invalidity pension; if he will take steps to end this discrimination; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have received a number of representations from organisations representing disabled people, including: the Disability Alliance, the Disablement Income Group, the Equal Rights for Disabled Women Campaign, MENCAP, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Council for Carers and their Elderly Dependants, RADAR, and the Spastics Society.
As the right hon. Member is aware, the household duties test of non-contributory invalidity pension for married women has been under review. An announcement about this review will be made as soon as possible. The extension of invalid care allowance to married women is 38W one of a number of competing priorities which can only be considered when additional resources become available.