§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many awards of attendance allowance were made in the last year for which figures axe available and in each of the preceding two years nationally and in each social security region; and if he will break each figure down by the length of time for which the awards were made;
(2) if he will list the number of applications for attendance allowance in the last year for which figures are available and in each of the preceding two years nationally and in each social security region; and in each case what proportion (a) were awarded (i) the higher rate and (ii) the lower rate on the initial application, (b) requested a review after (i) refusal of the allowance and (ii) award of the lower rate and (c) upon review were (i) awarded the lower rate, (ii) awarded the higher rate, (iii) had the lower rate increased to the higher rate and (iv) had the lower rate withdrawn;
(3) if he will list the number of reviews of attendance allowance during the currency of an award in the last year for which figures are available and in each of the preceding two years nationally and in each social security region which were instituted (a) by him and (b) by the claimant; and if he will state in each case the proportion in which (i) the allowance was withdrawn, (ii) the existing award was retained, (iii) the higher rate was decreased to the lower rate and (iv) the lower rate was increased to the higher rate;
(4) if he will list the number of applications for renewal of attendance allowance in the last year for which figures 589W are available and in each of the preceding two years nationally and in each social security region; and if he will state in each case what proportion (a) were awarded (i) the higher rate and (ii) the lower rate on the initial application, (b) requested a review after (i) refusal of the allowance and (ii) award of the lower rate and (c) upon review were (i) awarded the lower rate, (ii) awarded the higher rate, (iii) had the lower rate increased to the higher rate, and (iv) had the lower rate withdrawn.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, at the last date for which figures are available, how many appeals to the Social Security Commissioner from the decision of the attendance allowance board (a) by him and (b) by claimants were outstanding; and what is the average time before obtaining a hearing in each case.
§ Mr. RossiThe number of appeals outstanding after the granting of leave to appeal by the commissioner is(a) nil and (b) 14. The average time taken for an appeal to be decided is 25 weeks from the time that an appeal is made after leave to appeal has been granted.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of people in receipt of attendance allowance at each rate at the latest date for which figures are available and on the equivalent date in each of the preceding two years; and if he will break down the figures by social security region and the rate per 1,000 population in each region.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the average length of time between receipt of a claim for attendance allowance and the issue of an order book (a) when the allowance is awarded on the initial application and (b) when it is awarded after a review.