§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many severely disabled people have been granted attendance allowance; how many long-term sick people have been granted invalidity pension; and what is the estimate of the cost, respectively.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAt 5th July 1974, 165,000 severely disabled people were drawing attendance allowance and at 2nd422W June 1973 the latest date for which figures are available, 436,000 people were drawing invalidity benefit. The estimated cost for the current financial year is £60 million and £292 million respectively.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will undertake a review of the criteria governing the awarding of the attendance allowance for disabled persons requiring frequent attention.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose) on 7th May.—[Vol. 873, c.74.]
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications were made for attendance allowance in Wales in 1973; and how many were rejected.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisIn Wales during 1973, when the lower rate attendance allowance was introduced in stages by age groups, 10,900 claims were decided, of which 3,800 were rejected. During the first six months of 1974 throughout which the lower rate was available to all age groups 5,200 claims were dealt with, of which 1,400 were rejected.