§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how the evaluation will be made as to whether a claimant is in the latter stages of multiple sclerosis in respect of eligibility for the incapacity benefit to be introduced in 1995;
(2) what role will be played by Benefits Agency adjudication officers in evaluating the claims made by sufferers of multiple sclerosis for invalidity benefit under the provisions he announced on 30 November;
(3) what representations she has received from the Multiple Sclerosis Society in regard to the effects on the eligibility of claimants for incapacity benefit of the legislation that comes into force in 1995.
§ Mr. ScottI have been asked to reply.
All claims to incapacity benefit will be decided by Benefits Agency adjudication officers. The adjudication officer will have before him evidence provided by the claimant in the form of a questionnaire, a GP's diagnosis and statement of main disabling conditions, and a report from a departmental doctor providing advice on the level of functional limitation and any other evidence that the claimant and/or representative has provided.
We have developed a list of conditions which will exempt certain groups of claimants from the new test of incapacity. The list includes those claimants suffering with severe and progressive neurological or muscle-wasting diseases such as the latter stages of multiple sclerosis. In such claims no further inquiries will be made and the adjudication officer will determine that the person is incapable of work.
As part of the consultative process on the proposals for the new medical test, we have received representations 194W from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We will take account of their comments in the further development of the test.