§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has recently received from the Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults; what reply he has sent; if he is taking any action as a result; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI have received representations from the secretary general of the Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults, and replies on 18 February.
The representations call for a scheme to relieve charities of value added tax; the extension of invalid care allowance to married and cohabiting women; an increase in maternity grant from £25 to £120; additional expenditure amounting to 1 per cent. of alcohol and tobacco duties on services for the mentally handicapped; and tax deductible status for charitable gifts by companies.
There are, of course, formidable obstacles, including its cost, in the way of implementation of this package or anything like it. But I shall continue to bear the needs of the mentally handicapped in mind.