48.—(1) Section 72 of the Contributions and Benefits Act (care component of disability living allowance) is amended as follows.
(2) After subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) In its application to a person in relation to so much of a period as falls before the day on which he reaches the age of 16, subsection (1) above has effect subject to the following modifications—
(a)the condition mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(ii) above shall not apply, and
(b)none of the other conditions mentioned in subsection (1) above shall be taken to be satisfied unless—
(i)he has requirements of a description mentioned in the condition substantially in excess of the normal requirements of persons of his age, or
(ii)he has substantial requirements of such a description which younger persons in normal physical and mental health may also have but which persons of his age and in normal physical and mental health would not have.”.
(3) After subsection (2) insert—
“(2A) The modifications mentioned in subsection (1A) above shall have effect in relation to the application of subsection (1) above for the purposes of subsection (2) above, but only—
(a)in the case of a person who is under the age of 16 on the date on which the award of the care component would begin, and
(b)in relation to so much of any period mentioned in subsection (2) above as falls before the day on which he reaches the age of 16.”.
(4) In subsection (5) (terminally ill person to be taken to have satisfied the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(b) and (c)), after “person, shall” insert “(notwithstanding subsection (1A)(b) above)”.
(5) Subsection (6) (modifications for persons under 16) ceases to have effect.
(6) In subsection (7), for “subsections (5) and (6)” substitute “subsection (5)”.
(7) After that subsection insert—
“(7A) Subsection (1A) above has effect subject to regulations made under subsection (7) above (except as otherwise prescribed).”.