§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of incapacity benefit are suffering from pneumoconiosis and emphysema in the areas covered by the Seaham and Peterlee Benefits Agency offices. [37909]
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§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe administration of Incapacity Benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Cummings, dated 6 April 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, asking how many claimants of Incapacity Benefit are suffering from pneumoconiosis and emphysema in the areas covered by the Seaham and Peterlee Benefits Agency (BA) offices.Information is not available in the format requested. As at 31 August 1997, there were approximately 20 people in receipt of Incapacity Benefit (IB) for emphysema in the area covered by the Peterlee office and none for pneumoconiosis. No customers were in receipt of IB for either condition in the area covered by the Seaham office.Source DSS Analytical Services Division, based on a 5 per cent. sample of IB cases.I hope that this is helpful.