§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what response is being made to the letter sent to the Minister with responsibility for the disabled on 20 December 1988 by the Disability Alliance in regard to the severe disablement allowance; if he will place copies of the correspondence in the Library; and if there is any action he will be taking.
§ Mr. ScottI have replied to the Disability Alliance and have noted its comments on severe disablement allowance and its proposals for change. I have sent a copy of my reply to the right hon. Member. My response to the Disability Alliance makes it clear that we do not have any plans for major changes to the structure of severe disablement 737W allowance or other benefits for the disabled pending our consideration of the reports on the surveys of the disabled undertaken by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.
§ Mr. William PowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether dependants of Her Majesty's forces personnel can claim severe disablement allowance while they are overseas.
§ Mr. ScottHer Majesty's forces dependants who have qualified for severe disablement allowance can normally continue to receive it when they go overseas. Unless helped by the EC regulations, however, they cannot make an initial claim for this benefit when abroad. We propose to introduce a provision to remove the bar on claiming overseas for this category of persons.