§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what he attributes the steady annual increase in the numbers of people receiving invalidity benefit given in table 2.12.2 of Cmnd. 7841; if the figures take into account the change in the linking rule for benefits in clause 3 of the Social Security (No. 2) Bill; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThis table is intended to give a broad indication of the distribution and numbers of future beneficiaries rather than to indicate the detailed effect of all policy changes. The annual increases anticipated for the future are an extrapolation of the trend of recent years, for which there is no clear single ex-724W planation but which is similar to trends experienced in a number of countries overseas.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will invite urgently representatives of the Disablement Income Group to discuss with him the effects for chronically sick and disabled people of his decision to cut the value of invalidity benefit from November.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI cannot promise to meet all the outside bodies which have an interest in the proposals in the Social Security (No. 2) Bill. I have made it clear that I will study written comments and will reply shortly to the letter from the Disablement Income Group.