§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many women who qualify for severe disablement allowance and invalid care allowance will receive their full entitlement following the decision of the European Court of Justice on 30 March in case C328/91; when they will receive payments; if the payment of arrears will extend beyond 12 months from the date of claim; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramResponsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from A. Wylie to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 22 July 1993:
As I am responsible for Social Security operational matters, your recent Parliamentary Question about the effect of the European Court of Justice decision in case C328/91 as regards the entitlement of women to Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) and Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) has been passed to me for reply.Information about the number of women whose entitlement to these benefits falls within the scope of this decision is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, all such claims received after August 1988 have been adjudicated on and, where appropriate, payment made in accordance with normal rules and time limits. A decision regarding the payment of arrears beyond the normal time limit of 12 months is still awaited in separate cases currently before the European Court.I hope this is helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the official report and copies will be placed in the Library.