§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of administering the scheme for industrial injuries disablement benefit for chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of industrial injuries disablement 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. Paddy Tipping, dated 27 June 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the administrative cost of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for chronic bronchitis and emphysema.There are two stages to the take on of claims for the new prescribed disease chronic bronchitis and emphysema (PD D12), for which Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit has been available since 13 September 1993 for people who have worked for at least 20 years underground in a coal mine.Our current estimate of the administrative cost for the two stage take-on of claims to PD D12 is £15.7 million. This is based on an estimated 80,000 claims and covers the three financial years 1993–94 to 1995–96.I hope this reply is helpful.