§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many married women are now claiming non-contributory invalidity pension.
384W
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisUp to 12th May 1978, about 60,000 claims for the benefit had been made. There are currently about 35,000 awards of the benefit in payment from the cumulative total of 39,000 awards made since the non-contributory invalidity pension was extended to married women in November, 1977. The difference between the cumulative total of awards and the number currently in payment is explained by the number of cases in which awards have ended because of death or for other reasons.
§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many married women who are incapable of employment have been disallowed non-contributory invalidity pension on the grounds that they are capable of doing housework.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Dr. McDonald).
§ Dr. Oonagh McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many women to date have been refused the housewife's non-contributory invalidity pension because they fail the "normal household duties" test; and what percentage of (a) all claims and (b) all refusals of housewife's non-contributory invalidity pension this represents.
§ Mr. Alfred Morris, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 15th May 1978; Vol. 950, c. 55], gave the following information:
Up to 12th May 1978, just over 9,000 claims from married women for the non-contributory invalidity pension were disallowed on the ground that the claimant had not proved that she was incapable of performing normal household duties. This represents approximately 15 per cent. of all claims for the benefit and 51 per cent. of all disallowances.