§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of extra women who would be eligible for the disabled housewives non-contributory invalidity benefit if the household duties test were to be 939W dropped; and what would be the consequential annual cost to the Exchequer.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAs to numbers, I cannot add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 24th July 1978—[Vol. 954, c.547–8.].
As I advised the House in the Adjournment debate on 28th July 1978, the estimated net cost of abolishing the household duties test could be as much as £144 million—[Vol. 954, c. 2143–4.].
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications he had received by the latest convenient date for the disabled housewives non-contributory invalidity pension; how many have been granted the disabled non-contributory invalidity pension; how many have been refused the disabled noncontributory invalidity pension; how many cases are under appeal; and how many of those that had been granted were the result of an appeal.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe information requested is as follows:
HNCIP CLAIMS(1) Claims received(2) 68,025 Awards made(3) 44,194 Claims disallowed 21,139 Appeals to local tribunals(4) 5,635 Appeals to NI Commissioners by claimants(5) 416 Awards by local tribunals 2,130 Awards by NI Commissioners 5 NOTES: (1)The figures show the position on 13th October 1978. (3)Includes renewal claims. (3) Includes awards on renewal claims. (4) 1,269 appeals not yet decided. (5) 407 appeals not yet decided.