§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to conduct research into the impact of the compensatory recovery unit on the lives of those who are obliged to pay back DSS benefits to the CRU. [15986]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe compensation recovery unit recovers benefits attributable to an injury or disease from the compensator rather than the plaintiff. It performs this function effectively. We have no plans to mount the research to which the hon. Member refers.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the extent of the practice of awarding £2,500 to those seeking compensation as victims of illness, accident or disease so as to avoid claw back of benefit to the compensation recovery unit. [15987]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe level of settlement is a matter for the plaintiff and defendant, so no such assessment has been conducted. I understand, however, that a study of the level of settlement in some 10,000 compensation awards was recently completed on behalf of the Association of British Insurers. This study was conducted in support of evidence recently given by the association on the subject of compensation recovery to the Social Security Select Committee. The study concluded that the incidence of awards of £2,500 was not disproportionate.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he keeps on the impact of the compensation recovery unit upon the lives of those who have to pay DSS benefits to the CRU. [15985]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe Department keeps such information as is necessary to discharge its responsibilities.