HC Deb 28 July 2000 vol 354 cc1070-1W
Mr. Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many requests for revisions of Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance were not dealt with within the target time for clearance over the period October 1999 to June 2000; [132062]

(2) how many renewal claims for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance were not dealt with within the target time for clearance over the period October 1999 to June 2000. [132061]

Mr. Bayley

[holding answer Monday 24 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member in mid August.

Mr. Todd

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many benefit claimants in Derbyshire have had their benefits reduced or eliminated as a result of the advice of examining medical practitioners in each of the last five years. [133552]

Angela Eagle

The administration of benefits is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Mark Todd, dated 28 July 2000: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many benefit claimants in Derbyshire have had their benefits reduced or eliminated as a result of the advice of examining medical practitioners in each of the last five years. The information available is only statistically viable for Incapacity benefit claims because the data collected for other benefits is only based on a 5 per cent. sample of claims made. Details of the Incapacity Benefit claims are shown below.

Incapacity Benefit claims terminated in Derbyshire
Percentage
1 March 1998 to 28 February 1999 1,400
1 March 1999 to 29 February 2000 1,400

Unfortunately at the time of writing, statistics showing the claims reduced or disallowed following referral to Medical Services, are only available for the last two years. I will write to you again when the remaining data are obtained from our statisticians.