HC Deb 25 November 1994 vol 250 cc420-1W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether, in seeking the agreement of members of the panel on assessment of incapacity to publication of their names, he informed them of the statements made by the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People (a) in his answer on 20 January, Official Report, column 800, that the report on the proposed medical test would include the membership of the panel, and (b) to Standing Committee E on 1 February, that their names would be publicly available; and if he will invite those who did not agree to publication to reconsider the matter in the light of those statements.

Mr. Hague

No. Panel members were made aware of our wish to publish their names in the report. I believe it is appropriate to respect the wish of any panel member that their name should not be made public. I have no plans to ask them to reconsider the matter.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many members of the panel on assessment of incapacity were, or are, employed or contracted by(a) the Benefits Agency medical service, (b) the Department of Social Security and (c) the Department of Health.

Mr. Hague

Fifteen members of the panel are employed by the Benefits Agency medical services, two members by the Department of Social Security and two by the Department of Health.

Dr. Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what number or percentage of claimants are expected to be eligible for incapacity benefit in the Porth, Tonypandy, Aberdare and Pontypridd areas.

Mr. Hague

The information requested is not available.

The number of sickness benefit and invalidity benefit claimants in Great Britain expected to transfer to incapacity benefit is just under 2 million.