§ 1. Mr. Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy)How many meetings she has had in the past three months to discuss disability-related benefits with organisations representing the disabled; and if she will make a statement. [38475]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security (Mr. John Denham)During the past three months, my ministerial colleagues and I have met on 10 occasions with national organisations and umbrella groups representing people with disabilities.
§ Mr. LlwydI welcome the belated conversion of the Secretary of State and her Ministers to engaging in reasonable dialogue with disability groups. In the light of the admission by Ministers and civil servants to the recent Social Security Committee that there had been some bad errors of judgment in respect of decisions on the benefit 2 integrity project, will the Secretary of State confirm that every single decision involving the withdrawal or lowering of benefits before 9 February will now be reviewed?
§ Mr. DenhamYes.
§ Madam SpeakerI call Mr. Duncan Smith.
§ Mr. Denhamrose—
§ Mr. Duncan SmithI have not asked a question yet. Perhaps the Minister would like to hear it before answering. During his meetings with various disability groups, was the subject of taxing disability living allowance raised and, if so, what was his opinion as to what should happen?
§ Mr. DenhamA wide variety of topics were discussed at those meetings. The hon. Gentleman will have seen that there is no such proposal in the welfare reform Green Paper.