§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research on invalidity benefit is being carried out by or for his Department; and when it is due for completion.
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§ Mr. ScottThe Department has commissioned a programme of research about the growth in the numbers of people receiving invalidity benefit. The programme consists of a number of related studies: a small scale preliminary study of invalidity benefit recipients and GPs; large scale surveys of current recipients and new claimants; a comparative study of the growth of incapacity benefit caseloads in the UK and other countries; and an in-depth study of the GP's role in relation to the benefit. Field work for some of these studies was completed earlier in the year; other elements are expected to be completed in the course of 1993.