HC Deb 07 November 2001 vol 374 cc314-5W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of C grade medical reports fail to meet his Department's standards by(a) 10 per cent. and (b) five per cent. broken down by disability benefit centre in each of the last three years. [11903]

Malcolm Wicks

The information is not available in the format requested.

Medical quality targets were set in June 2000, in the Government's response to the Social Security Committee report on medical services. The target in relation to C grade medical reports was: within six months to reduce the proportion of C grade reports by 10 per cent.; and within one year to reduce the proportion of C grade reports across all benefits to less than 5 per cent.

Performance against the target is monitored at national and at contract package level. All contract package areas (north, south-east, and south-west) have met both the six month and the one year target.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rate of medical examinations by SEMA is in respect of(a) incapacity and (b) disability benefits. [11901]

Malcolm Wicks

In the 12 months ending 31 September 2001, there were 428,232 IB examinations and 235,549 DLA/AA examinations carried out.