§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many contributors have been disallowed invalidity benefit becase the test of 156 contributions was not satisfied, but continue to receive sickness benefit up to a maximum of 312 days, in each year since invalidity was introduced.
§ Mr. Alec JonesInformation is not available in the precise form required, but it is estimated that there were about 21,000 persons at 3rd June 1972 and 14,000 at 2nd June 1973 who were receiving sickness benefit but had exhausted their earnings-related supplement. Most of these would be persons who had failed 239W to qualify for invalidity benefit because they had not paid 156 contributions but were continuing to receive sickness benefit up to the maximum of 312 days.