§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the Government's acceptance of the general case for provisions for partial incapacity, if he has developed possible schemes for introducing a partial incapacity benefit within his own Department.
§ Mr. NewtonWe recognise that the needs of people with a limited capacity for work are not easily accommodated within the present benefit structure, but do not accept that an alternative structure has yet been shown to be practicable. The present position concerning the possiblity of a partial incapacity benefit is as I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 12 March 1984 at columns60–61.