§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking, following the commissioner's decision in the Clarke case, to ensure that severe disablement allowance is paid as from 22 December 1984 to women who would have qualified for noncontributory invalidity pension but for the household duties test.
§ Mr. ScottIn the light of the judgment by the European Court of Justice, and the subsequent decision by the Social Security Commissioner on Mrs. Clarke's claim to severe disablement allowance, we estimate that about 3,400 other women who claimed SDA in the transitional period from non-contributory invalidity pension may be affected by the court's judgment. All of them are being identified from860W departmental records and we will write soon to those who may be entitled, to let them know that we are aware of their claim. It will be necessary to examine each case individually to establish the precise entitlement: about one third of the women involved may since have been awarded SDA on other grounds—or other benefits—which will affect what extra is now payable as arrears or current benefit. It may be some months before the process is completed in all cases.