HC Deb 25 June 1993 vol 227 cc321-2W
Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures for the relative frequency of medical examinations by disability for those people who have applied for or been granted disability living allowance.

Mr. Scott

I am informed by Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement of his Department's policy in determining which applicants for disability living allowance are to undergo medical examinations.

Mr. Scott

Disability living allowance claimants may be medically examined, where either the disabled person requests an examination or the adjudication officer responsible for determining entitlement considers that this is the best method of obtaining the information necessary to make a decision. In addition, a representative sample of applicants are examined as part of the evaluation of the claims and adjudication systems.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances it is the policy of his

Appointments and Renumeration
Chair Deputy Members
Sex Appointment Remuneration Sex Appointment Remuneration Sex Appointment Remuneration
Occupational Pensions Board 1 male 1 September 1992 £35,580 1 male 1 April 1992 £11,775 7 male, 1 April 1992 £138 per
1 April 93 £36,645 1 Apr 93 £12,130 2 female session
Disability Living Allowance Board1 Medical:
5 male, £217.40
2 female per day
Lay:
2 male, £110.00
8 female per day
Industrial Injuries Advisory Committee 1 male 1 April 1993 £125 10 male, £100
per day 5 female per day
Social Security Advisory Committee 1 male 1 August 1992 £178 9 male, £114
per day 4 female per day
Independent Tribunal Service 1 male, President
1 male, National £70,374
5 male,
1 female, Regional £70,374
15 male,
9 female, Full-time £60,105

Department to rely on a single medical examination rather than a report by the general practitioner for the continuation of the disability living allowance.

Mr. Scott

Entitlement to disability living allowance is determined by independent adjudication officers. It is for the adjudication officer in each individual case to decide what is the best source of the information that he needs to enable him to make a decision on the claim.

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