§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes have recently been made in the financial provision for mentally handicapped people.
§ Mr. NewtonSome mentally-handicapped people may have gained from the ending of the invalidity trap for men over 60, which took place earlier this year. Others may gain from the ending of the invalidity trap for those under 60, and from increased limits for additional supplementary benefit help with board and lodging charges in certain circumstances, which if Parliament agrees will take effect in November 1983; and some parents of mentally-handicapped children may gain from the change I recently announced to allow payments of attendance allowance to continue for up to four weeks when a child goes into local authority care, which is due to come into force next month.