HC Deb 18 July 2002 vol 389 cc521-2W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many suspensions of benefits were reversed following evidence of the medical condition of the applicant in the Portsmouth, South constituency in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement; [69066]

(2) if he will list the reasons for the suspension of benefits in the Portsmouth, South constituency in the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [69067]

(3) how many claimants, broken down by age group, have had their benefits suspended in the Portsmouth, South constituency for failing to keep an appointment at a jobcentre in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [69068]

(4) what the average time taken to reinstate benefits following suspension was in the Portsmouth, South constituency in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [69069]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

For information on the circumstances in which payment of benefit may be suspended, I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Angus (Mr. Weir) on 8 July 2002,Official Report, columns 753–54W.

No information is collected centrally on benefit suspensions, at either national or constituency level.