HC Deb 18 January 1984 vol 52 cc249-50W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, on 16 December 1983, Official Report, c. 631–2, why it is possible to estimate the numbers of recipients of housewives' non-contributory invalidity pension but not of non-contributory invalidity pension who would not satisfy the 80 per cent. test proposed in the Health and Social Security Bill.

Mr. Newton

Detailed medical reports, in connection with the household duties test, are available for those receiving housewives' non-contributory invalidity pension. The information about those receiving noncontributory invalidity pension deals solely with their incapacity for work.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will launch a publicity campaign to advise every disabled person who may be eligible for non-contributory invalidity pension or housewives' non-contributory invalidity pension to submit a claim before the provisions of clause 4 of the Health and Social Security Bill come into force.

Mr. Newton

General publicity about the introduction of severe disablement allowance will include this advice. In addition we propose to write individually to anyone currently drawing supplementary benefit, who appears to have underlying title to non-contributory invalidity pension, to encourage him to claim even though this might not make any difference to his overall income.