§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the implications of his proposals to remove the right to part rate sickness benefit for those with less than full contribution records on their qualification for invalidity benefit.
§ Mr. NewtonOur proposals in the Social Security Bill mean that people who currently become entitled to invalidity benefit through receiving part-rate sickness benefit will no longer be able to do so. It is estimated that in an average year about 6,500 people will be affected. It is further estimated that over 70 per cent. of these will be entitled to other benefits (such as severe disabled allowance and/or supplementary benefit) either in their own right, or as a dependant of a beneficiary.