§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for the payment of the attendance allowance to claimants whose medical condition has been assessed as qualifying for such benefits within two rather than six months of such conditions becoming evident.
§ Mr. RossiMy right hon. Friend has no plans to make exceptions to the six months qualifying period. The purpose of the allowance is to assist severely disabled people with long-term attendance needs, six months being generally accepted as the period required to establish those needs.