§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether all details of road traffic accidents which occurred prior to the coming into force of the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999 and on which fees are potentially due to National Health Service hospitals, have been entered into the computer system of the Compensation Recovery Unit of the Benefits Agency; and, if not, when they expect this process to be completed; and [HL4155]
Whether the number of staff employed at the Compensation Recovery Unit of the Benefits Agency in collecting fees due to National Health Service hospitals has increased, decreased or remained the same since April; and what the number of such staff is now. [HL4156]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)The bulk of cases where there is potential NHS recovery will have been transferred to the new computer system by 1 December 2000. A small residue of complex cases will remain; these will be transferred by 2 February 2001.
There is the equivalent of 53 staff employed at the Compensation Recovery Unit in collecting NHS fees on behalf of England, Scotland and Wales. This number has remained the same since April 2000.