§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much has been paid in non-contributory invalidity pension in lieu of pocket money to long-stay patients in mental hospitals since October 1978; and if he has any plans to vary this provision.
§ Mr. PrenticeIt is estimated that during the period 1 November 1978 to 30 November 1979, £10 million was paid in non-contributory invalidity pension to persons who had been in hospital for more than 52 weeks. I regret that it is not possible to say how much of that sum was paid to long-stay patients in mental hospitals. We have no plans to vary the provisions under which such sums are paid.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much has been paid in housewives' non-contributory invalidity pensions since October 1978; and if he has any plans to vary entitlement to this benefit.
§ Mr. PrenticeIt is estimated that £27 million was paid in housewives' non-contributory invalidity pension during the period I November 1978 to 30 November 1979. Any consideration of the conditions of entitlement for this benefit must await the publication of the report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee on the question referred to it in November 1978.