To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what procedure he adopts to alter the eligibility criteria used for processing applications for the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance; and what system is used to ensure that the criteria are regularly reviewed.

The eligibility criteria for the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance are set out in legislation. Any changes to these criteria are made through the legislative process.We review the criteria regularly in the light of information obtained from the management information system and representations received from disability organisations and members of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received on conditions excluded by the definition of severe mental impairment as a state of arrested development or incomplete physical development of the brain, as used in the processing of applications for the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance.

We have received no such representations recently.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will alter the eligibility criteria for the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance to include people with a severe mental impairment, other than those who suffer from a state of arrested development or incomplete physical development of the brain from birth.

We have no plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Alzheimer's sufferers have applied for the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance; and how many have been refused.

The information is not available.