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Dept for Transport

Answer

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what advice was taken from the Department of Health on the status of myalgic encephalitis sufferers when formulating the eligibility criteria for the Blue Badge scheme; [199273] (2) how many of those people in England eligible for a Blue Badge are suffering from myalgic encephalitis. [199291] Charlotte Atkins: The Blue Badge Scheme is designed primarily to assist disabled people who are unable or have severe difficulty in walking, regardless of the nature of their disability. Local authorities, who are responsible for administering the Scheme, will decide on an individual's eligibility on the basis of these criteria. People with myalgic encephalitis will be eligible for a badge if their walking ability is seriously affected. The Department does not hold data on the disabilities of individual blue badge holders. We have had no separate discussions with the Department of Health (DH) on myalgic encephalitis. We have, however, worked very closely with that Department in taking forward the recommendations of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee following the comprehensive review of the Blue Badge Scheme which we undertook.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c1848-9W;426 c1852-3W; 199273;199291

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Disability Concessions Blue badge scheme ME/CFS Eligibility Parking

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk