HC Deb 23 July 1986 vol 102 cc285-6W
Mr. Irving

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys survey of disabled people will be published.

Mr. Newton

Publication of the full results of the survey is expected in 1988. The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys has made good progress. By the end of last year, it had successfully completed interviewing in relation to nationally representative samples of adults and children

Number of new and repeat claims to supplementary benefit (including unsuccessful) Number of people receiving supplementary benefit*
1982–83 1985–86 Percentage change 1982–83 1985–86 Percentage change
Hyde 13,442 13,027 -3.1 10,504 11,445 +9.0
Stockport-South 13,913 13,846 -0.5 10,808 11,197 +3.6
Stockport-North 16,023 15,152 -5.4 11,583 12,349 +6.6
Ashton under Lyne 11,720 12,218 +4.2 11,209 11,829 +5.5
Longsight 14,605 14,684 +0.5 10,906 11,923 +9.3
Rusholme 18,865 13,985 -26.0 11,140 12,499 +12.2
Openshaw 11,237 9,912 -11.8 10,177 10,465 +2.8
* Based on a 100 per cent. count of cases in action at February.

Percentage change in complement 1982–;83—1985–86
Supplementary benefit staff All staff
Hyde +20.0 +0.8
Stockport-South +16.1 -5.0
Stockport-North +9.9 -6.8

with significant disabilities living in private households. I am grateful to the many disabled people and their families who have given so generously of their time, and to the organisations who represent them for their constructive contributions throughout the research programme. That valued assistance continues during the design of this year's research, which is to cover people in residential care. OPCS will conduct interviews in relation to a representative sample of disabled adults in communal establishments; and to enable the Department to decide whether interviewing should subsequently be extended to disabled children permanently resident in institutions, OPCS will first establish their number by means of a postal census. Processing and analysis of the data from last year's fieldwork has begun and the survey results will, as the Government's White Paper indicated, provide the evidence needed to support a comprehensive review of benefits for sick and disabled people.