HC Deb 23 November 1971 vol 826 cc322-3W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will amend Question 9 on the application form for attendance allowance so as to encourage applicants to give full details of the attention and supervision they need from other people.

Mr. Dean

This question was designed to give people the opportunity to set down, without compulsion or embarrassment, any information about their need for attention or supervision which might help the Attendance Allowance Board in reaching a decision. If the hon. Member will let me know of any difficulty or misunderstanding caused by it I will of course pass the information on to the board.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will request the Attendance Board to ask for a second medical opinion before they reject an application for attendance allowance.

Mr. Dean

It is for the board to decide what medical evidence they require to determine claims, but I will pass on the hon. Member's suggestion to it.