§ Mr. Alan HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average number of appointments for a medical examination for the all-work test of incapacity which are lost in each half-day session. [36910]
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Benefits Agency medical services is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated 17 July 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking what is the average number of appointments for a medical examination for the all-work test of incapacity which arc lost in each half-day session.
The information is not available in the format requested.
Separate figures are not available in respect of the All Work Test. However, figures are available for all medical examinations for Incapacity Benefit. In the first six months of this year an average of 1.15 appointments per session were lost. The majority of these appointments will have been for the All Work Test, with a small proportion being in respect of the Own Occupation Test.
I hope you find this reply useful.