§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what medical advice has been received concerning myalgic encephalomyelitis post viral syndrome; and if it is intended to recognise it as grounds for mobility allowances.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Department's medical advisers are keeping in touch with developments on myalgic encephalomyelitis. The medical eligibility criteria for mobility allowance are framed in terms of inability or virtual inability to walk due to physical disablement, irrespective of any specifically diagnosed cause of such inability, and we have no present plans to change those criteria.