HC Deb 20 October 1969 vol 788 cc742-3
22. Mr. Fortescue

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now publish the results of his investigation into the large increases in the financial year 1968–69 in the cost of sickness benefit and unemployment benefit.

Mr. Ennals

So far as sickness benefit is concerned, the hon. Member will no doubt understand that a careful study of the many factors involved must take time; and it is too early to make a statement. Unemployment benefit is a rather different question and was dealt with in my reply to the hon. Gentleman's Question of 7th July.—[Vol. 786, c. 922–31.]

Mr. Fortescue

The Minister is being very coy about this investigation. Could he tell the House whether the investigations made so far and of which he has reports have revealed that there is any grave amount of abuse of social security benefits in these two fields?

Mr. Ennals

I have no reason to believe that there is any grave degree of abuse. It would not, however, be right to start making generalised assumptions until we have the whole survey. Many questions are involved, including questions of sickness in a particular year, questions of epidemics and so on. I assure the hon. Member that the survey is being carried out and that at a certain stage we will fully inform the House of our conclusions.

Mr. Heffer

It is not clear to my hon. Friend and to the House that the reason we are paying out more is that the Government introduced better benefits, both in unemployment and sickness? Is it not also clear that if we followed the policies of hon. Members opposite, there would be cuts in public expenditure which lead to cuts in these benefits, which help the ordinary people?

Mr. Ennals

I very much agree with the concern expressed by my hon. Friend at the conclusion of his question. There are, of course, a number of reasons for the increase in cost; as my hon. Friend has said, the amount of benefit is higher. It is also true, however, that there is a greater degree of long-term sickness among people who a generation ago might well have died but who, as a result of the Health Service, are continuing to live. That is a very important part of it.