HC Deb 26 February 1993 vol 219 c741W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the turn-round of correspondence relating to disability allowance applications met his targets; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Scott

The arrangements for replying to correspondence relating to operational questions on 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 a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 25 February 1993: As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the targets for the turnround of correspondence on Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The Benefit Agency's published target is to respond to all letters from Members of Parliament on all subjects within an average of 20 working days of receipt. Whilst this target is generally being met for letters on matters other than DLA it is currently not being achieved on all letters about DLA and I accept that regrettably some very long delays have been experienced before a reply has been sent. I apologise for this. The delays are due to the backlog of correspondence that has built up in the DLA Unit following the greater than expected workload faced by the Unit in the early months of the DLA scheme. A recovery plan for clearing the backlog of correspondence is in operation at the DLA Unit and I am pleased to say significant progress is being made. The correspondence sections, both at the DLA Unit and centrally, have been strengthened and our aim is to complete the clearance of the backlog during early March. Thereafter it will be our intention to respond to all future correspondence on DLA within the Agency's target of 20 working days. We have been meeting this target for the majority of letters on DLA received since the start of the year, and I can assure you that I am monitoring the position very closely. I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidelines he has established for the Benefits Agency to respond to requests for the release of medical records to unsuccessful applicants for disability living allowance and attendance allowance.

Mr. Scott

The information used to decide a claim for disability living allowance or attendance allowance is made available to the claimant on request. Only medical evidence that is considered, on the advice of a medical practitioner, to be harmful to a person is withheld.