Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, under what conditions parents of disabled children are given blue badges.

Blue Badges are issued to disabled people, and not family members unless accompanying a disabled person. Children can qualify for a badge under the general criteria if they:

• have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking; or
• are severely sight impaired; or
• receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance.

Additional, specific criteria, apply to children not more than 3 years old who, on account of a condition:

• must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty; or

• must always be kept near a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, they can be treated in the vehicle or taken quickly to a place where they can be treated.