HC Deb 12 July 1984 vol 63 c661W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate at the latest date for which figures are available of the number of people who have been incapable of work for at least 12 months.

Mr. Newton

As at 2 April 1983 there were 638,000 claimants to sickness and invalidity benefit and 193,000 claimants to non-contributory and housewives' noncontributory invalidity benefit who had been incapable of work for at least 12 months.