HC Deb 27 February 1984 vol 55 cc79-80W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the cost of all social security benefits in the year 1982–83 and the estimated cost for

Claimants Referred for Examination by the Regional Medical Service
Thousands
1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 *1983
Great Britain 654.1 670.8 690.0 677.8 681.1 626.9 655.9 656.8 692.8 512.9
England 453.9 465.9 477.5 468.5 480.6 434.9 449.1 455.4 481.5 356.0
North Eastern n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 85.3 89.8 92.8 71.0
East Midlands n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 74.3 72.6 72.4 53.0
Eastern n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 52.3 64.0 65.3 45.1
Southern n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 52.3 54.1 59.6 46.1
Western n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 69.3 60.3 73.6 55.4
North Western n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 115.6 114.6 117.8 85.4
Scotland 119.7 121.4 124.4 122.3 116.7 108.1 120.8 118.4 120.8 89.7
Wales 80.5 83.5 88.1 87.1 83.8 83.9 86.0 83.0 90.5 67.1
* To end September.

Claimants considered by regional medical service to be not incapable of work
Thousands
1974 1975 1976 1977 1978
Great Britain 57.0 59.7 58.7 59.0 57.5
England 40.8 43.1 42.8 42.9 41.4
Scotland 9.9 10.0 9.7 9.8 10.2
Wales 6.3 6.6 6.2 6.2 5.9

1983–84, in the manner expressed in the reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 23 December 1982, c. 687.

Dr. Boyson

I refer my hon. Friend to table 2.12 in the Government's Public Expenditure White Paper published on 16 February (Cmnd. 9143, volume II, page 82).