§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the current figures in(a) numbers and (b) time involved in waiting for claims to be dealt with; and what were the figures 12 months ago.
Month ending 31 March 1991 Month ending 31 March 1990 Benefit Number received Average clearance (days)1 Number received Average clearance (days)1 Income support 352,299 5 298,705 5 Sickness/Invalidity 88,867 8 90,391 9 Retirement pension 47,128 19 46,407 21 Family credit 81,696 73 per cent, within 20 days 77,694 — Invalid care allowance 5,683 35 5,342 40 Severe disablement allowance 764 32 707 32 War disablement pension 3,277 37 per cent, within 125 days 3,573 36 per cent, within 125 days War widows pension 508 63 per cent. within 50 days 401 64 per cent, within 50 days Attendance allowance 39,264 42 39,208 42 Mobility allowance 21,079 50 23,916 35 Child benefit straightforward claims 37,431 96 per cent, within 5 days 42,879 100 per cent, within 5 days non-straightforward claims 27,152 82 per cent, within 16 days 30,495 95 per cent, within 16 days One parent benefit 15,650 85 per cent, within 12 days 17,438 93 per cent. within 12 days 1 Rounded.
Quarter ending 31 March 1991 Quarter ending 31 March 1990 Benefit Number received Average clearance (days)1 Number received Average clearance (days)1 Widows benefit 14,994 15 15,984 15 Maternity allowance 27,611 10 31,377 12 1 Rounded.