HC Deb 12 July 1976 vol 915 cc77-9W
Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the take-up rate of the new invalid care allowance; whether he has proposals to improve the take-up rate; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Alfred Morris

As we have always made clear, there is no information from which any precise estimate of how many people might be eligible for this new allowance could have been derived; but claims from potential beneficiaries are. as often happens at the outset, coming in more slowly than we had hoped. To attract claims, we have written individually, enclosing the combined leaflet and claim form, to every adult receiving attendance allowance and to every adult receiving supplementary benefit by virtue of looking after elderly or disabled rela

what action he is going to take to meet their needs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alfred Morris

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th July 1976; Vol. 914, c. 528], circulated the following additional reply:

Following is the available information for England:

tives. Claims to invalid care allowance are not coming in as quickly as I had hoped although I have sought the help of many organisations and bodies representing disabled people to publicise the allowance. I have also sought help from hon. and right hon. Members, in bringing the new allowance to the attention of individual constituents who might qualify.

Advertisements have been placed in a number of periodicals which circulate among professional and voluntary workers in the disablement field, and information about the allowance has been circulated to the press and other media. We shall continue to take appropriate opportunities for publicity. In this regard, I shall be emphasising that the new allowance not only provides non-means-tested help where only means-tested benefits have been available hitherto, but also that those who are entitled to the allowance are credited with class 1 national insurance contributions.