§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff from(a) the Benefits Agency medical service and (b) the Benefits Agency will be required to process claims for incapacity benefit; and how many of these staff will be qualified medical practitioners.
§ Mr. ScottThe estimated staffing consequences for the introduction of incapacity benefit appear in the financial memorandum accompanying the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Bill. Further refinement of these figures will depend upon decisions still to be taken by Parliament
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates his Department has as to the time it will take to process claims for the two thirds of claimants who will have their claims for incapacity benefit referred to the Benefits Agency medical service.
§ Mr. ScottUntil details of the new objective medical test are agreed we cannot produce precise estimates for how long each reference will take. Because cases will be 211W referred while benefit is being paid, we do not expect any worsening of the overall clearance time for claims on account of the introduction of incapacity benefit.