§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for severe disablement allowance had been received by 19 November; how many of these claims have been decided; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonAs at 19 November some 53,000 claims for severe disablement allowance had been recorded as received, but we know that mistakes in recording have been made and the figure probably overstates the true one; 10,165 claims had been decided.
§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average time between receipt of a claim for severe disablement allowance and the issue of an order book (a) when the award is made after initial application by an adjudication officer alone and (b) when the award is made after initial application on the basis of a decision of an adjudicating medical authority on percentage disablement and recorded cause of incapacity for work.
§ Mr. NewtonI regret that the information is not available.
§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the age breakdown and recorded cause of incapacity for work of (a) people who have been awarded severe disablement allowance and (b) people refused severe disablement allowance; and if he will give this information using the same classification of awards and refusals as in his answer of 29 November 1985, Official Report, columns 657–58.
§ Mr. NewtonA special analysis is being made to provide as much of the information as possible. I shall reply to the hon. Member when it is complete.