§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the additional cost of reducing the percentage disablement required for those aged over 20 years to qualify for severe disablement allowance to 60 per cent.
§ Mr. NewtonOf the order of £20 million initially, rising to £40 million, above the estimated cost of the introduction of severe disablement allowance with an 80 per cent. disablement test.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will collect information centrally on all claims for and awards of severe disablement allowance by age, sex and marital status.
§ Mr. NewtonWe are still considering what statistics about severe disablement allowance are needed and the method of collecting them, but I have taken note of the right hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, on 14 March, Official Report, column 194, what is his estimate of the cost of raising the age limit for the 80 per cent. test for severe disablement allowance to 25 years; what additional information has become available in the meantime; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonSufficient information is not available to provide a reliable estimate. The cost of £10 million which I quoted in Standing Committee A on the Health and Social Security Bill on 28 February at column 389 is based on the proportion of married women contributors aged 20–25 who receive invalidity pension and is therefore only a rough indication.