§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Scotland were(a) in receipt of and (b) refused invalidity benefit in 1994–95. [29249]
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of incapacity benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 21 May 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people in Scotland were in receipt of and refused Invalidity Benefit (IVB) in 1994–95.The number of people in Scotland in receipt of IVB on the last working day of each month is as follows:
Number April 1994 229,208 May 1994 229,761 June 1994 230,554 July 1994 231,819 August 1994 232,697 September 1994 233,850 October 1994 232,826 November 1994 234,889 December 1994 235,023 January 1995 236,565 February 1995 237,121 March 1995 238,918 Data are provisional and subject to amendment. Information on the number of people refused IVB is not held centrally. To obtain the information requested would require an examination of the clerical papers held in all BA benefit offices in Scotland to identify those customers who were refused invalidity benefit during the period in question. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
I hope you find this reply helpful.
285W