HC Deb 14 February 1996 vol 271 cc648-9W
Mr. Robert McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many claimants in the last three years were refused incapacity benefit because of inadequate national insurance contributions or credits; and if he will introduce an alternative eligibility rule based on the best two years of the last five years of contributions. [14551]

Mr. Moss

[holding answer 13 February 1996]: The information is not available in the form requested.

The Government have no plans to change the contribution conditions for incapacity benefit.