§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women are currently being paid reduced invalidity benefit because they have reached retirement age; how many have appealed against this reduction; how many have applied to be treated as cases of hardship; and how many such applications have been accepted.
§ Mr. HagueThe only figures available are those being kept as a result of the case of Mrs. Rose Graham.
At the end of March 1994, the latest date for which information is held, 41,560 women were being paid reduced rate invalidity benefit because they had reached state pension age.
A total of 1,604 hardship applications had been received; 994 hardship applications had been accepted and the suspension lifted.
Information is not held on the total number of appeals received and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.