HL Deb 15 May 1996 vol 572 c62WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they possess on the effects on those involved of withdrawal of benefit under the habitual residence test.

The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)

It is not the Government's practice to monitor the effects of failure to qualify for social security benefits.

Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will collect information on the ethnic background of those affected by the habitual residence test; whether, without such statistics, they can know that the test is being even-handedly applied, and, if so, how.

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

We have no plans to collect information on the ethnic background of people affected by the habitual residence test. The test is neutral and there is no firm evidence to suggest that it is being applied unequally.