§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of the delays in issuing copies of The Medical Assessment for Incapacity Benefit, they will consider extending the consultation period beyond the alloted month.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)I regret that there were delays in issuing some copies of the report onThe Medical Assessment for Incapacity Benefit. The report was not a consultation document. Its purpose was to set out the Jesuits of the development work on, and the detailed proposals for, the new all work test before the regulations on the test were laid before Parliament. Over 10,000 copies of the report have been issued. We have received 97 responses.
Regulations setting out details of the medical test were laid before Parliament today.*