§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) for each year since 1986 what is the average time taken for processing an application for(a) attendance allowance and (b) the higher rate of attendance allowance;
(2) whether the independent living fund is unable to process an application for assistance without the applicant first receiving confirmation of eligibility for the higher rate of attendance allowance; in how many cases the delay in processing the higher rate of attendance allowance claims has led to the blocking of hospital beds in spinal units; what steps he will take to ensure that attendance allowance claims are speeded up; and if he will consider introducing an additional question on the attendance allowance claim form to identify those people who have applied to the independent living fund.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of attendance allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.