§ 47 and 49. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Social Security (1) what is the approximate annual cost of the sickness benefits, supplementary benefits, and any other payments from public funds to persons suffering from chronic or occasional bronchial disorders;
(2) what is the approximate annual cost in time and production lost of the absence from work of persons suffering from chronic or occasional bronchial disorders.
§ Miss HerbisonI have information only about days for which sickness benefit is claimed, and the latest figures are for the 53 weeks from 1st June, 1964, to 5th June, 1965, in which the estimated number of days of incapacity attributed to bronchitis was 36½million, and the cost in sickness benefit was about £26 million.
I regret that it is not possible to say how much was paid by way of noncontributory benefits, or other benefits for which I am responsible, to persons suffering from bronchitis.
I understand that no information about the cost in loss of production is available.