§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of sufferers from multiple sclerosis and other fluctuating illnesses who work intermittently between relapses; and for what proportion of these the changed definition of a period of interruption of employment is likely to lead to a loss of income.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe information is not available in the form requested. There are about 50,000 sufferers from multiple sclerosis but many of these will be totally incapable of work and therefore unaffected by the change in the rule for linking periods of interruption of employment. In general, the change is expected to affect 5 per cent. of incapacity spells.