HL Deb 26 February 2003 vol 645 cc45-6WA
Lord Campbell of Croy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will insist on the tightening up of the rules of the Blue Badge Scheme for motor vehicles intended for seriously disabled people.[HL1796]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston

A review of the Blue Badge Scheme has recently been concluded in which all aspects of the scheme were considered. Following initial discussions with the main stakeholders, a discussion paper was drawn up and comments were invited through a major public consultation exercise. Formal representations were made by a variety of disability groups, local authorities and individuals and their views were given due consideration during the review process.

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC, the department's statutory advisers on the transport needs of disabled people) was asked to look at the responses received and to submit its recommendations to Ministers. David Jamieson announced in the House on 18 December 2002 that the Government would be taking forward the majority of these recommendations as soon as possible.

The recommendations address a number of issues, including the eligibility criteria and the enforcement of the scheme. The main emphasis is to ensure that the scheme is available to those with the greatest mobility needs and that measures are introduced to prevent the scheme from being abused. A summary of the recommendations was placed in the House Libraries and accompanied the announcement on 18 December 2002.