HC Deb 04 July 1989 vol 156 c140W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will introduce regulations to give immediate entitlement to the severe disability premium to people claiming income support whose doctor certifies that they have a medical condition which is terminal or which will last at least six months and which gives rise to substantial identifiable extra costs; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will introduce regulations to give immediate entitlement to the disability premium to people claiming income support whose doctor certifies that they have a medical condition which is terminal or which will last at least six months and which gives rise to significant identifiable extra costs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Scott

We are considering what action we might take to provide help for terminally ill people through an amendment of the rules governing the award of attendance allowance.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how he proposes to seek the views of disabled people in his forthcoming review of their benefits; when he expects to decide the terms of reference for that review; and whether he intends to appoint independent experts.

Mr. Scott

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Thurnham) on 3 July at column7.