§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the effect of the proposals contained in, "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People" on claimants in Northern Ireland; and if he will estimate the number of people in Northern Ireland who will benefit from the proposed mobility component together with his estimate of the number who will benefit from the proposed care component.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 29 January 1990]: On the basis of the well-established principle of parity in social security provision between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, the new proposals affecting social security entitlement for the disabled and their carers will be introduced in Northern Ireland and on the same time scale as in the rest of the United Kingdom. In addition to those currently entitled to mobility allowance and attendance allowance in Northern Ireland, it is estimated that 4,000 people will benefit from the mobility components and 4,000 from the care components of the proposed disability allowance.
§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will meet representatives of the disabled in Northern Ireland to discuss the Government Paper, "The Way Ahead: Benefits for Disabled People", and if he has any plans to issue an equivalent document for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 29 January 1990]: As parity in social security provisions between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom remains Government policy, there are no plans to issue a further document for Northern Ireland. My noble Friend the Minister responsible for health and social services in Northern Ireland will be pleased to hear the views of representatives of the disabled in Northern Ireland on the new proposals.