§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the numbers of additional claimants and the cost if disability living allowance was extended to children under the age of five years; and if he will estimate these numbers and costs for the northern region.
§ Mr. ScottWe estimate that for Great Britain the number is 25,000 at a cost of £35 million a year. It is not possible to estimate these numbers and costs for the northern region.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the medical report from Mrs. Elizabeth Pinnock of 45 South Furzeham road, Brixham, mentioned by Michael Bichard in his letter of 11 January to the hon. Member for South Hams, was obtained by the disability living allowance unit from Dr. Sheena, Mrs. Pinnock's general practitioner.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write shortly to my hon. Friend and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 8 February 1993.
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the date on which the Disability Living Allowance Unit obtained the medical report from Dr. Sheena, Mrs. Pinnock's General Practitioner.The medical report to which you refer was requested on 27 November 1991 and completed by Dr. Sheena on 30 November 1991. It was received in the Mobility Allowance Unit on 4 December 1991.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.