§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide an estimate of the numbers of applicants for the non-contributory invalidity pension for married women who gave up 407W paid work because of their disability in 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80.
§ Mr. PrenticeThis information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the Department's evidence to the National Insurance Advisory Committee included an analysis of the reasons for leaving work as given on all claim forms received between 3 and 7 September 1979. A copy of this was placed in the House of Commons Library on 5 March 1980 and I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide an estimate of the costs of administering the special "household duties" test for the non-contributory invalidity pension for married women and the related medical appeals procedure in 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80.
§ Mr. PrenticeCosts relating to the applications of the household duties test are not available. The total cost of administering the non-contributory invalidity pension for married women was of the order of £700,000 for 1978–79 and £850,000 for 1979–80. Because of the
Number of fresh claims received 16/3/1978–31/12/78 1/1/79–31/12/79 1/1/80–17/10/80 12,598 12,378 9,585 Number of claims disallowed because of failure to meet "household duties" test 1/6/78–31/12/78 1/1/79–31/12/79 1/1/80–29/10/80 2,379 3,731 3,420 Number of successful appeals 1/3/78–31/12/78 1/1/79–31/12/79 1/1/80–29/10/80 1,619 767 648 The figures for successful appeals include appeals against all disallowances and not just claims disallowed because of failure to meet the "household duties" test. Decisions on appeals include those against disallowed claims for the previous year.