§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for sickness and invalidity benefit were referred to the regional medical services in each quarter since September 1993; how many of these cases resulted in a medical examination; and what were the outcomes(a) where examinations took place and (b) where they did not.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of sickness benefit and invalidity benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
638WLetter from Michael Richard to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 12 July 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many claims for sickness and invalidity benefit were referred to the regional medical services in each quarter since September 1993; how many of these cases resulted in a medical examination; and what were the outcomes (a) where examination took place and (b) where they did not.Figures are not yet available for the quarter ending 30 June 1994. Those figures which are available are shown in the attached table.I hope you find this information helpful.
Outcome of claims to Sickness/Invalidity Benefit referred to Regional Medical Services in each Quarter since September 1993 September 1993–December 1993 January 1994–March 1994 Total cleared 230,000 269,000 Examination—capable of own work 5,000 5,000 Examination—capable of alternative work 25,000 28,000 Examination—incapable of all work 48,000 54,000 No examination—incapable not examined 131,000 159,000 No examination—claim terminated 3,000 3,000 No examination—failed to attend 17,000 20,000 Notes:
1. Based upon a 100 per cent. count of cases, rounded to the nearest thousand
2. Figures include severe disablement allowance references.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many referrals to the Benefits Agency medical service were made during 1992–93 and 1993–94 of claimants of(a) sickness benefit, (b) severe disablement allowance and (c) invalidity benefit; and what percentage of each were found (i) capable of alternative work and (ii) capable of normal occupation.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of sickness benefit and invalidity benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 12 July 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many referrals to the Benefits Agency Medical Services were made during 1992–93 and 1993–94 of claimants of (a) sickness benefit, (b) severe disablement allowance and (c) invalidity benefit; and what percentage of each were found (i) capable of alternative work and (ii) capable of normal occupation.The Benefits Agency Medical Service (BAMS) are asked an opinion on incapacity in relation to Sickness Benefit, Invalidity Benefit, and Severe Disablement. Allowance. I regret that the figures of cases cleared are not separated into the different benefits. The total figures for the three benefits are as follows:
639W
Number Per cent. 1992–93 References cleared 872,000 — Capable of alternative work 62,000 7.1 Capable of normal occupation 38,000 4.4
Number Per cent. 1993–94 References cleared 1,021,000 — Capable of alternative work 100,000 9.8 Capable of normal occupation 22,000 2.2 Note: Figures subject to rounding to nearest thousand.
I hope you find this reply helpful.