§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1990–91 on the grounds of incontinence. [40194]
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1990–91 on the grounds of incontinence. [41056]
§ Mr. DenhamI have been asked to reply.
528WIncontinence is a symptom of a number of different medical conditions rather than a diagnosis in itself and is therefore not recorded as a separate category in the International Classification of Diseases which the Department uses to record diagnoses underlying claims for Incapacity Benefit. The all-work test includes incontinence as a specific condition which, depending on the degree of disability, might lead to a decision that a claimant is incapable of work. Information on the numbers of cases where points have been scored within the incontinence category could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.