HC Deb 27 October 1994 vol 248 cc795-7W
Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many PD12D chronic bronchitis and emphysema cases(a) had been received up to 11 September, (b) had been processed and (c) were rejected on grounds of failure to meet (i) the qualification period, (ii) the FEVI test and (iii) the X-ray diagnosis of simple pneumoconiosis.

Mr. Hague

Information as at 11 September 1994 is in the table:

Number
Claims received 43,827
Claims processed 40,338
Disallowed on prescription 1,821
Failed FEV1 test 18,658
Diagnosed as Category O. pneumoconiosis 13,995

Based on a 100 per cent. count and subject to amendment.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social security how many PD12D chronic bronchitis and emphysema appeals had been heard to 11 September by(a) a special medical board and (b) a medical appeals tribunal; and how many were successful at each stage.

Mr. Hague

The information is in the table.

Appeals Number Processed or Withdrawn Appeals Upheld
Special Medical Boards 5,913 4,813 214
Medical Appeal Tribunals 1,543 237 32

NB: Based on a 100 per cent. count and subject to amendment.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many PD12D chronic bronchitis and emphysema appeals to special medical boards up to 11 September have been against(a) X-ray evidence, (b) FEVI test and (c) the qualification period; and how many were successful in each category.

Mr. Hague

Information is not available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The available information is in the table.

Criteria Number Test satisfied Test not satisfied
Appeals to special medical boards and medical appeal tribunals
FEV1 2,146 97 1,698
X-ray 3,333 158 2,534
Appeals to social security appeal tribunals at 11 September
20 year rule 135 15 32

Note

Figures in both tables based on a 100 per cent. count and subject to amendment.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the PD12D chronic bronchitis and emphysema appellants to the medical appeal tribunal have been referred for fresh X-rays; and of those how many have been successful at appeal.

Mr. Hague

The information requested is not collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many successful PD12D chronic bronchitis and emphysema applicants there were up to 11 September who have been awarded benefit; and what is their average age.

Mr. Hague

At 11 September 1994, 43,827 claims had been received and 4,469 awards of benefit made. Information on the average age of benefit recipients could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. NB: Based on a 100 per cent. count but subject to amendment.