§ Mr. Gregory CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of people in Northern Ireland are in receipt of a blue badge for disabled drivers. [175862]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. Gregory Campbell, dated 25 May 2004:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about how many and what percentage of people in Northern Ireland are in receipt of a blue badge for disabled drivers. I have been asked to reply as the issue raised falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.I can advise you that the number of persons currently holding a Blue Badge in Northern Ireland is 74,146. Based on the 2001 population census figure of 1,685,267, this represents 4.4% of the population.