HC Deb 16 January 1986 vol 89 cc701-2W
Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are being made to deal with the claims made by married or cohabiting women for invalid care allowance since Mrs. Drake was awarded invalid care allowance by a tribunal on 1 March 1985; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Hannam) on 26 July at column943.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many married and cohabiting women have submitted claims for invalid care allowance pending the European Court of Justice ruling on the Drake case, since 1 March 1985 (a) before 1 October 1985 and (b) before 1 December 1985.

Mr. Newton

4,588 and 7,632, of which 348 and 567, respectively, have been disallowed because qualifying conditions other than marital status were not satisfied.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the current cost of extending invalid care allowance to married and co-habiting women (i) gross, (ii) net of savings on other national insurance benefits and (iii) net of savings on both means-tested and national insurance benefits.

Mr. Newton

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to her on 24 July at column603. This is the latest estimate made. There is insufficient information available to break the figures down further in the way requested.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if all claims for invalid care allowance by married or co-habiting women will be back-dated either to the date of claim or 22 December 1985 when the EEC directive 7/79 came into force, if the European Court upholds the Drake case decision; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

The date from which an award of a benefit is made is a matter for the independent statutory authorities, subject to the overriding time limits laid down in legislation. A claim for invalid care allowance can be valid for a period of up to three months before the date of claim or, if the adjudicating authorities are satisfied that there was good cause for claiming late, for up to 12 months before the date of claim.