§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate, for each of the last five years for which figures are available, the total number of applications that have been made for mobility allowance, and the number of such claims that have been granted, for each year; and if he has any plans to modify his Department's procedures insofar as they relate to the award of mobility allowance to claimants.
§ Mr. NewtonI refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 27 March at column569. Decisions on eligibility are for the independent adjudicating authorities, but procedures for the processing and payment of claims are kept under review to ensure that they are as quick and effective as possible. We have no present plans for extending the scope of the allowance.