asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects to lay regulations amending the criteria for payment of mobility allowance to people whose inability to walk arises from a mental handicap; and if he will make a statement.

The proposed amending regulations are about to be submitted to the National Insurance Advisory Committee, under section 139(1) of the Social Security Act 1975, for consideration and report. The regulations will be laid as soon as possible after any recommendations by the committee have been considered.