HC Deb 25 November 2002 vol 395 cc5-6
3. Linda Perham (Ilford, North)

What representations he has received regarding incapacity benefit assessments carried out by SchlumbergerSema. [81271]

The Minister for Work (Mr. Nicholas Brown)

We have received a number of representations from my hon. Friend, other hon. Members and members of the public about personal capability assessments carried out by SchlumbergerSema. A small proportion of medical assessments—about 0.5 per cent.—result in complaints about the doctor.

Linda Perham

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply and for seeing me last week in the case of Mrs. Gray. In the light of her case and continuing concerns expressed by disabled constituents about the quality of service provided, will he assure me that the assessments will be closely monitored, especially when the contract comes up for renewal?

Mr. Brown

We closely monitor the work of SchlumbergerSema, so 1 know that the number of complaints is going down. A set of standards has to be met and, so far, all the targets are being met.

Mr. Tim Boswell (Daventry)

Although I acknowledge that there has been progress in achieving a smoother and less judgmental assessment system, would the Minister not be prepared, in turn, to acknowledge that many claimants still resent intrusion, particularly in recurrent cases and those where perhaps the matter could have been resolved on evidence from the patient's own GP? But is he not even more concerned that, for all the Government's talk of welfare reform, there are almost as many claimants for incapacity benefit as five years ago, while there are no fewer than 250,000 extra disabled claimants for income support? Is that not a rather shameful failure to deliver?

Mr. Brown

If the previous Government had undertaken more pilot schemes on rehabilitation and other pathways to work, this Government would not have to undertake the necessary studies to try to achieve—I do not mean to make this a partisan point, tempting though that is—what I know we both believe in, as we have had exchanges about this before: helping those who can work into some form of work that they can comfortably undertake.