HC Deb 03 April 1973 vol 854 cc219-20
19. Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the consultation that takes place between his Department and the medical practitioner of a person seeking a constant attendance allowance.

Mr. Dean

Yes, Sir. On receipt of a claim for attendance allowance, the Attendance Allowance Board requests the disabled person's own medical practitioner to visit him and submit a report. This report is supplemented by additional evidence when the claimant's doctor thinks that would be helpful. In cases of special doubt or difficulty the Attendance Allowance Board may ask the doctor for additional information.

Mr. Cox

Is the Minister aware that in spite of that reply there is widespread criticism by the local doctor and very often by the social worker of the person who is applying for an attendance allowance and whose claim they are supposed to be supporting? With respect to the hon. Gentleman, that shows that there is not widespread agreement. In view of the financial sacrifices made by many people who keep their relatives at home rather than in hospital, is it not time that we showed a little more humanity on this issue? Will the hon. Gentleman therefore suggest that, where there are questions of doubt, a doctor from his Department should examine the person concerned before any decision is made? That is not the practice at present.

Mr. Dean

The hon. Gentleman is being very unfair. There are 90,000 of these new allowances in payment already. They are increasing week by week as the new rate of allowance comes into operation. Of course there are lessons to be learned, and we have not yet got the administration right. But there is close co-operation between general practitioners, social workers and doctors who have to make the eventual judgment.

Mr. Waddington

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that some of us think that the Attendance Allowance Board is still interpreting the regulations in a very restrictive fashion? I appreciate that an unsuccessful applicant, after a review, cannot appeal to the Secretary of State, but will my hon. Friend look at one particular case in my constituency where there seems to have been refusal on a review in the most obvious case?

Mr. Dean

I should be glad to look at the case referred to by my hon. and learned Friend or, indeed, any case raised by any other hon. Member which he feels should be looked at again. There is the review procedure, which provides for a great deal of flexibility in this area.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Is the Undersecretary aware that his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wandsworth, Central (Mr. Thomas Cox) sounded rather complacent? Is he satisfied with the way in which, for example, renal dialysis patients are being treated? Is he aware that we on the Opposition side of the House are not satisfied? Will he look again at the very important matter raised by this Question?

Mr. Dean

Yes. What I am saying is that the allowance is being extended. This is a new allowance. Of course we are not satisfied, and it is for that reason that the extension is now taking place. We shall bring it forward as quickly as possible.

Mr. Fry

Is it not to the great credit of the Government that the constant attendance allowance has not only been introduced but is being extended this year so that many who have been denied the allowance will qualify for a reduced allowance this autumn and about 250,000 extra people will be helped? Is not that to the great credit of my right hon. Friend and the present administration?

Mr. Dean

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for putting the matter into perspective. That does not mean that we are complacent. We are acting as fast as we can to see that still more people become eligible for the allowance and get it paid.