HC Deb 28 February 1991 vol 186 cc608-9W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number and proportion of people with AIDS or AIDS-related conditions who are in receipt of attendance allowance at (a) the higher rate and (b) the lower rate; if he will estimate the proportion of those receiving the higher rate who do so by virtue of the provisions relating to terminal illness; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Scott

Information is not available to estimate the number of attendance allowance recipients suffering from any particular illness or disability.

People with AIDS or ARC can qualify for attendance allowance in the normal way if they satisfy the conditions for it. Since October 1990, those who suffer from a terminal illness, and whose death can reasonably be expected within six months, are treated as satisfying the conditions for the higher rate, and also as having satisfied the six-month qualifying period at the time of the claim.