HC Deb 12 November 1984 vol 67 cc142-3W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning repayment of mobility allowance wrongly withdrawn in the light of the Commissioner's decision R (M) 2/82; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a further statement.

Mr. Newton

I expect to be in a position to reply soon to a letter from the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation on this matter and I will also write to the right hon. Member.

Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) for each of the past five years how many applicants who were claiming mobility allowance succeeded in their claim on their first application;

(2) how many claims for mobility allowance have been made for each of the past five years;

(3) in each of the past five years how many claims for mobility allowance in England and Wales have been made by or on behalf of physically handicapped people;

(4) over each of the past five years what was the average time required for each stage of a mobility allowance claim (physically and mentally handicapped) to be processed;

(5) how many applicants who claimed for mobility allowance did not appeal after an initial refusal during each of the past five years;

(6) how many applicants succeeded in their claims for a mobility allowance after an appeal to the medical board in each of the last five years;

(7) how many applicants succeeded in their claims for a mobility allowance after an appeal to the medical appeal tribunal over each of the past five years;

(8) what guidance is given to the doctors who make assessments for mobility allowance;

(9) what proportion of applications for mobility allowance are successful, broken down by city or region in each of the last five years;

(10) how many claims for mobility allowance have been made by or on behalf of mentally handicapped people for each of the past five years.

Mr. Newton

I shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.