§ Mr. Peter GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children aged between two years 435W and five years are known to his Department to be so severely disabled as to be considered incapable of independent locomotion.
§ Mr. Peter GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many appeals against refusal of mobility allowance to children aged under five years were heard in the last year for which records are conveniently available.
§ Mr. ScottThe number of appeals against refusal of mobility allowance for children under age five which have been heard cannot be readily identified but Department records show that, during the last 12 months, 14 such appeals were made.
§ Mr. Peter GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the estimated net annual cost of providing mobility allowance for children aged two years to five years who are otherwise eligible but are at present excluded by reason of their age.
§ Mr. ScottThe cost of lowering the age limit for mobility allowance to age two is estimated to be about £5.75 million a year.
§ Mr. Peter GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what alternative provisions are made by his Department which meet the same needs as mobility allowance for children aged between two years and five years who are not eligible for that benefit.
§ Mr. ScottAttendance allowance, although not intended to meet the same needs as mobility allowance, is available for a child between the ages of two and five who needs substantially more attention or supervision than a child of the same age and sex normally requires. Health authorities and local authority social services departments are also responsible for providing a range of services aimed at identifying, assessing and meeting particular needs of disabled children; and helping them to overcome the effects of their disabilities.