HC Deb 04 April 2000 vol 347 cc453-4W
Mr. Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which Minister in his Department has responsibility for regulatory reform; and if he will make a statement. [117414]

Mr. Rooker

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is(a) the cost of the current mandatory disregards, (b) the additional cost of a total disregard and (c) the overall cost if there were a total disregard, of the disregard of War Disablement and War Widows' Pensions in respect of income-related benefits. [117219]

Mr. Bayley

The cost to central Government of the current mandatory disregards of War Disablement and War Widow's Pensions is estimated to be £20 million a year. The extra cost to central Government if applying a total disregard would be around £140 million per year, giving the overall cost of £160 million a year.