§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much has been paid in disability living allowance to people suffering from back ailments in each of the last three years;
(2) if it is standard practice for people who have applied for disability living allowance because of back ailments to be examined by a chiropractor; and if he will make a statement;
(3) how much has been paid in disability living allowance for each of the last three years;
(4) what proportion and number of people in receipt of disability living allowance suffer from back ailments.
§ Mr. ScottInformation is not available about the number of people receiving disability living allowance who have a back ailment. Available information dates from April 1993 and relates to people whose main disabling condition is attributable to a back ailment. Currently 8 per cent.—108,000—of DLA recipients have this as their main disabling condition. In 1993–94 we estimate that DLA expenditure on this group was around £200 million.1
Disability living allowance was introduced in April 1992. Total expenditure for 1992–93 was £1,973 million and for 1993–94 is estimated to have been £2,505 million.2
It is not standard practice for medical examinations to be undertaken in connection with claims for DLA. An independent adjudication officer decides in each individual case what additional evidence, if any, is required to reach a decision on entitlement.
1Source: DSS Analytical Services Division—based on a 5 per cent. sample.
2Source: Social Security Departmental Report The Government's Expenditure Plans 1994–95 to 1996–97 (March 1994) Cm 2513.