HC Deb 02 July 1992 vol 210 cc693-4W
Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will extend the disability living allowance so that people can claim whatever their age.

Mr. Scott

We have no plans to do so.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the cost of extending the disability living allowance scheme to cover people over the age of 65 years.

Mr. Scott

The annual cost of extending disability living allowance to all people who become disabled after the age of 65 is estimated, at 1992–93 prices, to be in excess of £2 billion.

Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what compensation can be claimed by applicants for disability living allowance, where the processing of(a) their claim or (b) successful appeal against a decision by the Benefits Agency on their claim has taken an excessive period of time;

(2) what is the average length of time taken by the Benefits Agency to process a claim for disability living allowance;

(3) what is the target maximum time within which a claim for disability living allowance should be processed.

Mr. Scott

The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time taken to consider applications for(a) attendance allowance and (b) disability living allowance; and what are the target times laid down by his Department.

Mr. Scott

The administration of disability living allowance and attendance allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.