To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people whose main disabling condition is listed as blindness or disease of the eye receive attendance allowance.

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many registered blind people are entitled to the severe disability premium out of the number who live alone.

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to change the guidance notes for doctors in the attendance allowance board's handbook, in particular those clauses related to (a) longstanding blindness and attendance allowance and (b) gradual blindness and attendance allowance.

A handbook containing guidance notes for the delegated medical practitioners who deal with attendance allowance is produced, by the Attendance Allowance Board, which is independent of the Department of Social Security. I understand that the board is revising this handbook and will look at its guidance on blindness as part of that process.