§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants for sickness benefit were referred for examination by a regional medical officer in each of the years 1970 to 1975.
§ Mr. MeacherInformation is not available in precisely the form requested. The numbers of claims for sickness and invalidity benefit referred to the regional medical services in England, Scotland and Wales during the years 1970 to 1974 and for the first nine months of 1975 are set out in the following table. Such references do not necessarily lead to a medical examination of the claimant.
182Wtarily. It is now for the Supplementary Benefits Commission to seek from the appeal tribunal a direction under Section 12 of the Supplementary Benefit Act 1966 which, if granted, would enable it to make further payment of benefit conditional upon Mr. Keane's attendance at such a centre.