§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total cost to his 513W Department of the administration of mobility allowance in the last year for which figures are available; of this amount, how much consisted of payment of fees and expenses to examining doctors in respect of (a) initial claims, (b) renewal claims and (c) reviews; what action he is taking to decrease the cost of administration; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what was the total cost to his Department of the administration of attendance allowance in the last year for which figures are available; of this amount, how much consisted of payment of fees and expenses to examining doctors in respect of (a) initial claims, (b) renewal claims and (c) reviews; what action he is taking to decrease the cost of administration; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiThe costs to this Department of the administration of mobility allowance and attendance allowance in 1981–82 were about £5 million and £12½ million respectively. Of these amounts £1¼ million and £4 million respectively were in respect of the payment of fees and expenses to examining doctors; no breakdown of these payments is available. The Department devotes substantial effort to decreasing all our administrative costs, including management surveys, greater use of information technology, and tight monitoring and control of staff numbers and non-manpower costs. In particular, I have set in hand a thorough re-examination of the procedures for dealing with claims for mobility allowance and attendance allowance in order to ensure that these are made as efficient as possible.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's review of the adjudication of mobility and attendance allowances; and if he will list the voluntary organisations and other bodies which he has consulted.
§ Mr. RossiThe Department has been conducting an internal review of the structure of adjudication including medical adjudication. The review is still in progress. Consultation with voluntary organisations would not be appropriate at present.