§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were receiving severe disablement allowance at the latest date for which information is available.
§ Mr. NewtonAs at March 1985, about 252,000 people were receiving a severe disablement allowance. In the year to March 1986, provisional figures indicate that a further 10,700 people have been awarded the allowance.
§ Mr. Clayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of paying the severe disablement allowance to all those who would qualify under the rules that applied to the non-contributory invalidity pension but including married and cohabiting women and what would be this cost if the severe disablement allowance were increased by £7.35 for the single person's rate.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 14 July 1986, c. 419]: The estimated additional cost in a full year would be about £290 million and £380 million, respectively.