§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, for each of the last five years for which figures are available, the number of invalidity pensioners who ceased to draw benefit but requalified for benefit (a) less than six weeks later and (b) between six and 13 weeks later; and if he will break down the figures by age of the recipients: (i) at the date they first drew invalidity benefit in the period in question and (ii) at the date of requalification for benefit.
§ Mrs. ChalkerSuch detailed information is not available. I am, however, arranging to supply to the hon. Member some tables for each of the last five years for which figures are available. These show the number of spells of incapacity commencing which involved invalidity pension in the periods by the type of spell, if any, with which they linked and by age and sex.
I am also making arrangements to produce some detailed information on the duration of the interval between linked spells of incapacity, but I regret that it is likely to take at least several weeks to produce this information. I shall write to the hon. Member.