§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons a minimum age of five years was adopted for the award of an orange badge for parking purposes; and what plans his Department has to review this rule. [13004]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe minimum age for eligibility for an Orange Badge is two years; this is laid down in the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) Regulations 1982. The reason is that children below this age will often be carried in a pram or pushchair, whether they are disabled or not. We keep the operation of the Orange Badge Scheme under review but we have no plans at present to change the eligibility criteria.