HC Deb 10 February 1997 vol 290 cc74-5W
Mr. Alan Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services now includes(a) disablement questions assessed by adjudicating medical authorities, (b) the assessment of war pensions, (c) medical boards, (d) medical appeal tribunals, (e) adjudication of disability living allowance claims and (f) adjudication of incapacity benefit claims. [14396]

Mr. Burt

The contractorisation of the work of the Benefits Agency medical services includes disablement questions assessed by adjudicating medical authorities and medical boards. It does not include the assessment of war pensions or medical appeal tribunals. The adjudication of disability living allowance claims and incapacity benefit is undertaken by lay staff, who are advised by Benefits Agency medical services but are not bound by their advice.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if(a) employees and (b) fee-paid doctors working for the private contractors who will be running the Benefits Agency medical services will be eligible to sit as (i) members of disability appeal tribunals, (ii) members of medical appeal tribunals and (iii) medical assessors on social security appeal tribunals for all work test appeals. [14397]

Mr. Roger Evans

Appointments to appeal tribunals are a matter for the president of the independent tribunal service, His Honour Judge Keith Bassingthwaighte, and I have communicated the contents of the question to him.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements he has made to ensure confidentiality of information during site visits by private sector companies in connection with their interest in running the Benefits Agency medical services. [14398]

Mr. Burt

The project team taking forward the contractorisation of Benefits Agency medical services will facilitate and chaperone all site visits by shortlisted private sector companies, and will ensure confidentiality is maintained.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 11 November 1996,Official Report, column 89, when he expects to discuss targets and performance indicators with private sector companies contracting for the Benefits Agency medical services. [14399]

Mr. Burt

During the negotiation phase of the procurement, which runs from 20 November 1996 to 1 May 1997, targets and performance indicators will be amongst a wide range of issues discussed with the shortlisted private sector companies.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions he has had with the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board on the implications of the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services. [14401]

Mr. Burt

One of the statutory functions of the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board is to advise on matters referred to it by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Although there is no legal requirement to consult the board, its views have been sought on this issue by way of presentations made by the project team taking forward the contractorisation and by discussion with the Department's chief medical adviser, and have helped to inform the development of proposals.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects contracts for the Benefits Agency medical services to be(a) awarded and (b) implemented. [14402]

Mr. Burt

The timetable for the contractorisation of Benefits Agency medical services has recently been extended and it is now anticipated that the contract or contracts will be let by June 1997.

Following award of the contract or contracts, there will be a period of transition during which contractors must demonstrate their capability to deliver the service before a formal hand-over can take place.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance on the assessment of disability benefits he intends to circulate to the contractors who will be running the Benefits Agency medical services. [14403]

Mr. Burt

The shortlisted private sector companies have been supplied with detailed guidance on medical issues. The successful contractor or contractors will have a mandatory requirement to adhere to the guidance and to consult the Department before altering existing guides or introducing new guides.