HC Deb 22 June 1972 vol 839 cc179-80W
Mr. Rowlands

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the administration of constant attendance allowances; and if he will make a statement on the operation of the system.

Mr. Dean

I would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend said during the Second Reading of the National Insurance Bill on 18th May. If he has any particular aspect of the administration of the scheme in mind perhaps he would let me know.—[Vol. 837, c. 722.]

Mr. Rowlands

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many reviews have now been conducted into decisions taken in the granting of constant attendance allowances since the inception of the scheme; and what percentage this is of the total number of allowances granted.

Mr. Dean

Up to 13th June, the latest date for which figures are available, it is estimated that about 93,000 claims to attendance allowance had been successful. This figure included almost 9,000, or nearly 10 per cent. allowed following a successful application for review.

Mr. Gwynoro Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of applications from Wales which has now been successful on appeal for the constant attendance allowance.

Mr. Dean

Up to 7th April, the latest date for which separate figures are available, about 750 severely disabled people in Wales had qualified for attendance allowance following a successful application for review.

Mr. Gwynoro Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in Wales, in the following age groups, have been granted a constant attendance allowance: up to the age of 15 years, 16 to 21 years, 21 to 30 years, 31 to 40 years, 41 to 50 years, 51 to 60 years, 61 to 70 years and 70 years and over.

Mr. Dean

Up to 7th April, the latest date for which detailed figures are available, attendance allowance had been awarded in respect of severely disabled people in Wales in age groups as follows:

Years Numbers
2 to 15 … … 1,000
16 to 19 … … 100
20 to 29 … … 300
30 to 39 … … 200
40 to 49 … … 300
50 to 59 … … 500
60 to 69 … … 900
70 and over … … 2,500