HC Deb 05 April 1995 vol 257 cc1219-21W
Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women aged 60 years or more residing in the Clyde coast and Cowal area have had their invalidity benefit payments suspended while Commissioner Skinner's decision has been pronounced upon by the English law courts and the European Court of Justice. [16699]

Mr. Hague

The administration of 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 Dr. Norman Godman, dated 4 April 1995: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about suspensions of Invalidity Benefit (IVB) payments in the Clyde Coast and Cowal area. Information has been provided relating to those customers resident in the area administered by the offices of the Benefits Agency's Clyde Coast and Cowal District, which does not necessarily correspond with county or borough boundaries. The latest information available is based on the number of cases identified at 31 March 1994. At that date 480 IVB cases had payment suspended in whole or in part. I hope you find this reply helpful.

Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of Social Security how many women aged 60 years or more residing in(a) the Clyde coast and Cowal area of Scotland and (b) the rest of Scotland, England and Wales have had the suspension of invalidity benefit set aside on the grounds of hardship. [16700]

Mr. Hague

The administration of 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 Dr. Norman Godman, dated 4 April 1995: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about suspensions of Invalidity Benefit payments in the Clyde Coast and Cowal and other areas of Scotland; in England, and in Wales. Information has been provided relating to those customers resident in the area administered by the offices of the Benefits Agency's Clyde Coast and Cowal District, which does not necessarily correspond with county or borough boundaries. The numbers of customers who have had suspensions of IVB lifted in the areas in question are as follows:

Area Number
Clyde Coast and Cowal Area 15
Rest of Scotland 249
Wales 26
England 704

The figures were obtained from a clerical count of affected cases maintained by BA offices within each area. The information provided is the latest available and is based on the position at 31 March 1994.

I hope you find this reply helpful.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were in receipt of invalidity benefit in each of the area directorates of the Benefits Agency and in each Benefits Agency district in each area, at the latest date for which figures are available. [17719]

Mr. Hague

The administration of 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. Donald Dewar, dated 4 April 1995: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about Invalidity Benefit (IVB) recipients. The information requested is provided in the tables attached at Appendices 1–4, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The statistics relating to numbers of recipients were obtained from a 100% clerical count of cases within the offices of each BA District at 28 February 1995, and represent the latest information available. The figures include a very small number of customers who are entitled to IVB but are not actually receiving the benefit; for example, because they are receiving an overlapping benefit payable at a higher rate. I hope you find this reply helpful.