asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to extend the orange windscreen parking badge scheme to drivers with blind passengers.

It is proposed that the revised orange badge scheme should come into operation on 1st June, and regulations to that effect will be laid before the House. Under the revised scheme, blind people registered under the National Assistance Act 1948 will be eligible to apply for a badge for use as a passenger. This concession will be reviewed after a year to see whether it has had any adverse effect on road safety.