§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with the Secretaries of State for(a) Health and (b) Social Security in regard to the implementation of the incapacity benefit to those invalided out of employment by multiple sclerosis.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe implementation of incapacity benefit is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Social Security. Discussions have taken place between our two Departments on several50W aspects of the new benefit, including its implementation and the development of the medical test. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has also been consulted.
I understand that the new more objective medical test of incapacity will take account of the variable and fluctuating nature of illnesses such as multiple sclerosis.