§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to ensure that groups of disabled people who do not qualify for existing benefits will be taken into account in his review of disability benefits.
§ Mr. ScottWe recently announced a range of measures which will extend social security provision to people who do not qualify for existing benefits. We will announce further proposals within the next few months, seeking to do more to help many disabled people who at present do not receive mobility allowance or attendance allowance.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will be taking evidence from independent experts in developing his proposals for disability benefits.
§ Mr. ScottI refer the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 13 November at columns51–52.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to consult disability organisations on his plans to reform the system of disability benefits;
(2) whether he will be consulting disabled people and those organisations representing their interests when 167W drawing up his proposals for changing the balance and structure of social security provision for people with disabilities.
§ Mr. ScottI refer the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) and the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 23 October at columns341–42.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to bring forward proposals following the OPCS report on disability, to improve the structure of disability benefits.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met representatives of the disability benefits consortium.