§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that once an attendance allowance is awarded, payment will be backdated to the time of the relevant medical examination.
§ Mr. NewtonThe date from which an attendance allowance award is payable is a matter for the independent adjudicating authorities. It is usually payable either from the date of claim or the date on which the six months qualifying condition is satisfied, whichever is later. The date of the medical examination is not a significant factor in the award. If the right hon. Member has a particular difficulty in mind I shall be pleased to look into it.