HC Deb 17 January 1972 vol 829 cc94-5W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of registered employed persons absent from work on New Year's Day 1969, 1970 and 1971, respectively, covered by a medical certificate; and how these figures compare with the national daily average.

Mr. Dean

Daily records are not kept and the following figures are derived from tabulations of samples taken for the statistical years 1968–69 and 1969–70. (A statistical year starts on the first Monday in June of each year.) Work on the corresponding sample for 1970–71 is not yet complete and figures for 1st January, 1971, are therefore not available.

Estimated numbers of insured persons claiming sickness or injury benefit on 1st January, 1969 and 1970, with the corresponding averages are as follows:

(Thousands)
Sickness Benefit Injury Benefit Total
Wednesday, 1st January, 1969 1,153 74 1,227
Daily Average, 1968–69 1,056 74 1,130
Thursday, 1st January, 1970 1,957 73 2,030
Daily Average, 1969–70 1,096 73 1,169

NoteSickness on 1st January, 1970, was greater than normal because an influenza epidemic was then at its peak.