HC Deb 26 November 1997 vol 301 cc564-5W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people to date have lost their reduced earnings allowance in each of the benefit districts in Wales. [13771]

Mr. Denham

The administration of Reduced Earnings Allowance 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 Mr. Llew Smith, dated 25 November 1997: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people to date have lost their Reduced Earnings Allowance (REA) in each of the benefit districts in Wales. I have assumed your question refers to Adjudication Officer's decisions to transfer over pension age REA recipients to Retirement Allowance (RA) following the introduction of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries and Diseases) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1996 on 24 March 1996. The information is shown in the attached table. Statistics on transfers were maintained up to 31 March 1997. I hope this reply is helpful.

Number of reduced earnings allowance (REA) recipients over pension age cases transferred to retirement allowance (RA)
Benefits agency district1 Number of cases transferred where pension age attained before 24 March 1996 Number of cases transferred where pension age attained between 24 March 1996 and 31 March 1997 Total
Wrexham and North Wales 176 44 220
Cardiff and Vale 82 13 95
Gwyneddigion Maldwyn 102 26 128
Eastern Valleys 335 46 381
Swansea Bay 275 45 320
Gwent Borders 59 24 83
West Wales 242 45 287
Mid Glamorgan 695 92 787
Figures are provisional and subject to amendment.
1 Benefits Agency districts as at 24 March 1996.