§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if there are likely to he any delays in the payment of severe disablement allowance to all entitled to receive it; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonAll those already drawing noncontributory invalidity pension or housewives' noncontributory invalidity pension will automatically transfer to severe disablement allowance from 29 November, so there will be no break in payment. For others, the timing of the start of payments will depend on how far in advance of the 29th week of incapacity the disabled person makes his claim, especially where a medical examination is required. For this reason the explanatory leaflet on severe disablement allowance encourages claimants to make their application after they have been incapable of work for 15 weeks.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many additional staff are being employed by his Department to deal with the extra work involved in introducing the severe disablement allowance; what the 126W full cost of this staffing is likely to be; how many officers have been transferred from other sections; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.