§ Mr. Fortescueasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has of increases in sickness benefit claims at Christmas, Easter, Bank Holiday and summer holiday periods; and what physical conditions are associated with such increases.
§ Mr. LoughlinThe total of new claims for sickness benefit received by my Department tends to decrease rather than increase at times of public holiday. The figures for the period around Christmas may, of course, be affected by seasonal influenza and related complaints. Claims for minor illneses or injuries from those known to be on annual holiday are subject to special scrutiny.
§ Mr. Fortescueasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what total sums were paid in sickness benefit in 1965, 1966 and 1967 to employed and self-employed men, respectively; and what relation these sums bear to the number of men in each category.
§ Mr. LoughlinThe estimated amounts are as follows:
16W
SICKNESS BENEFIT £ million Year Employed men Self-employed men Total 1965–66 197 13 210 1966–67 212* 13 225 1967–68 266* 15 281 *Including earnings related supplement of £16 million in 1966–67 and £44 million in 1967–68. During this period the estimated average numbers of employed men and self-employed men were about 15 million and about 1⅓ million respectively.