HC Deb 07 July 1969 vol 786 cc923-4
9. Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost in working man-hours lost for mental illness to the nation for the years 1966, 1967, 1968, and to the latest available date in 1969.

37. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost in sickness benefit paid to the mentally ill and the days of incapacity this reflected for the years 1966, 1967, 1968, and to the latest available date in 1969.

Mr. Ennals

I have information only about sickness which is notified for the purpose of claims under the National Insurance Acts and about the cost of benefit paid in the period June 1965 to June 1966. The estimated cost of sickness benefit for incapacity attributed to psychoneuroses and psychoses was about £24 million for 28 million days. In the period June 1966 to June 1967, the latest for which figures are available, the corresponding figures were about £25 million for 29 million days.

Mr. Ashton

Is not 28 million days about four or five times as many as the days lost through strikes? Will my right hon. Friend try to concentrate the attention of the public on the problems of mental health in the same way as it has been drawn to the problems of strikes?

Mr. Ennals

It certainly is true that sickness benefit, including this aspect of sickness, is much more significant numerically than the number of days lost by strikes. We are doing a great deal to concentrate the attention of the public on the problems of mental illness and mental disease as well as the facilities that are available for treatment and care.

Mr. Pavitt

Despite the increase, will my hon. Friend discuss with the Department of Employment and Productivity the great success that we have had in the last three years in industrial therapy compared with occupational therapy with a view to making sure that we can employ more people who are mentally ill in the community instead of paying them sickness benefit for days off?

Mr. Ennals

There are increasing facilities for those suffering from this disadvantage to have forms of protected employment. I will certainly have further discussions with the Department of Employment and Productivity to see whether we can go further. But I should point out that the increase to which I referred in my Answer is very marginal and is in line with the general increase in sickness benefit.

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

Can the hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the man hours lost was due to depression and what investigation his Department is making in the more extended use of anti-depressant drugs to reduce the period which people are away sick with this illness?

Mr. Ennals

With respect, that is a different question. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question on that matter.