§ Mr. Mike O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many chronic bronchitis and emphysema claims have been(a) instigated and (b) successful in each of the last five years (i) in total and (ii) in each benefits area directorate. [24773]
§ Mr. HagueThe administration of industrial injuries disablement benefit is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Mike O 'Brien, dated 23 May 1995:
607WThe Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about claims made for chronic bronchitis and emphysema both nationally and in each area directorate in the last five years.Information about the number of claims and successful claims is not available for all the period requested because chronic bronchitis and emphysema did not become a prescribed disease until 13 September 1993. The available information has been provided at Annex A.There was a "take on" exercise which lasted twelve months and the data shown in the table, under the heading September 1993– September 1994, covers this exercise. The data under the heading October 1994–March 1995 covers the six month period from the end of the exercise to the end of the 1994–95 statistical year.I hope you find this reply helpful
National Claims September 1993 to September 1994 October 1994 to March 1995 Made Successful Made Successful 44,023 4,618 1,477 267
Included in the successful claims are 48 in 1993–94 and 3 in 1994–95 where although assessed as having a percentage of disability it was below 14 per cent, and therefore did not attract an award of benefit.