§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now introduce a comprehensive disability benefit paid as of right to those who cannot earn a living due to disability ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no plans to do so, but, as I explained in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, West (Mr. Butterfill) on 22 October at column514 we have made useful progress towards our objective of a more coherent system of benefit for disabled people. People who are incapable of work may already qualify for statutory sick pay, sickness benefit, invalidity benefit, non-contributory invalidity pension (to be replaced by severe disablement allowance from 29 November this year) or supplementary benefit.