§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the current number of applications still outstanding for disabled living allowance on 1 April, 1 May and 1 June, together with the weekly average for that period of(a) applications submitted and (b) applications cleared.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.
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§ Ms. LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what measures his Department are considering to simplify the application procedures for the disability working allowance, disability living allowance and attendance allowance;
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on the take-up of benefits of the design of the application forms for disability living allowance and disability working allowances.
§ Mr. ScottThe introduction of the new claims process for disability living allowance, attendance allowance and disability working allowance has been widely welcomed by both disabled people and their organisations as better meeting the needs of disabled people and putting greater reliance on what they have to say about their own disabilities. Nevertheless, we are monitoring closely the effectiveness of the claim packs and process.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals have been heard by the disability appeal tribunals to date; what percentage of these have concerned(a) disability living allowance care component and (b) disability living allowance mobility component; and how many more are listed for hearing.
§ Mr. ScottI have been informed by the office of the president of the Independent Tribunal Service that up to 10 June 1,436 appeals have been heard by disability appeal tribunals. These were all mobility allowance appeals.
On 8 June there were 317 cases listed for hearing.