§ Mr. Trippierasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will reverse his decision to abate the increase in invalidity and sickness benefit, to restore the 13-week linkage period for invalidity benefit and publish a White Paper on a general disablement income.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI can assure my hon. Friend that the unpalatable measures to which he refers are necessary because of the inescapable need to secure economies in the social security budget. I am sorry that no movement towards a general disablement income can be considered until there has been a radical improvement in the country's economic position.