§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how long claims on the new-style self-assessment form for attendance allowance are taking to process and payments to commence; how long the old-style claims, where a doctor visits to make an assessment, are taking to clear and payments to commence; what are his Department's target times to deal with each kind of claim; and how many claim applications have been waiting for longer than the target times;
(2) of the cases adjudicated under the new procedure in relation to self-assessment for attendance allowance, how many have been decided; how many were successful; how many were turned down; and how many were awarded (a) the higher rate and (b) the lower rate;
(3) what measures are being taken to keep claimants informed of the progress of their claim for attendance allowance and of the time they should expect to wait.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe 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 and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.