§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has74W received from disability organisations concerning the Cumulative Rule for withdrawal of disability benefits for people in hospital. [125425]
§ Maria EagleWe have received no recent representations from disability organisations about the rules which treat periods of hospital in-patient treatment separated by no more than 28 days as a single period for the purpose of determining when payments of disability living allowance or attendance allowance can be made. We believe that these rules are fair and reflect that all the disability related needs of severely disabled people entitled to those benefits are met free of charge by the national health service when they are in hospital.