§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what steps he is currently taking to ensure that all payments to carers are made at the earliest possible date.
§ Mr. ScottTo ensure that all payments to carers are made at the earliest possible date, clearance times for invalid care allowance claims are kept under close and regular scrutiny. Despite claims increasing by 50 per cent. during the period October 1990 to January 1991 compared with the same period last year, the clearance time for the year to date is 38.5 days against a published target of 38 days.