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Miss Widdecombe : Our next steps agencies are examining the scope for private finance in a number of areas, including joint ventures in information technology projects, setting up and running staff child care facilities, property development and redeveloping existing sites, and leasing computer hardware.

Pensioners

Mr. Dover : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are estimated to have benefited from increases in the pensioner premium in income support since the introduction of the scheme.

Mr. Burt : The latest available data indicated that there were 1, 369,000 income support recipients aged over 60 receiving one of the pensioner premiums. There have been increases in some or all of the pensioner premiums, over and above the normal annual upratings, in October 1989, April 1991, April 1992 and October 1992.

Note :

Source : May 1991 Annual Statistical Enquiry.

Percentage Disablement Award

Mr. Etherington : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the level of percentage disablement award for the claims prior to 1992 which went to the medical appeal tribunal in the northern region.

Mr. Scott : Social security administration is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library. Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Bill Etherington, dated 31 March 1993 :

As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is the responsibility of Michael Bichard to answer questions about relevant operational matters. However, as Mr. Bichard is away at the moment I am replying on his behalf to your recent

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Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what was the level of disablement award for the claims prior to 1992 which went to the Medical Appeal Tribunal in the Northern Region.

There may be some misunderstanding as to the way the appeals system operates. A customer can appeal against the decision of the adjudicating authorities irrespective of the level of the percentage disablement award. However, if you are relating your question to a specific subject I would be grateful if you would write to me with further details as to the information you require and I will be pleased to answer you with such information as is available. I am sorry that I am unable to be of more assistance on this occasion. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Mucous Membrane Disease

Mr. Etherington : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many claims for mucous membrane disease were made to his Department in the northern region in the two years prior to the take-up campaign of April 1992 ; and how many claims have been made since April 1992 ;

(2) what general guidance his Department has issued since 1992 to (a) regional chief medical officers, (b) adjudicating medical authorities and (c) medical appeal tribunals, as to what is considered the appropriate loss of faculty in considering cases of mucous membrane disease.

Mr. Scott : The administration of industrial injuries disablement benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Bill Etherington, dated 31 March 1993 :

As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is the responsibility of Michael Bichard to answer questions about relevant operational matters. However, as Mr. Bichard is away at the moment I am replying on his behalf to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking (i) how many claims for mucous membrane disease were made to his Department in the Northern Region in the two years prior to the take up campaign of April 1992 ; and how many claims have been made since April 1992 (ii) what general guidance his Department has issued since 1992 to (a) regional chief medical officers, (b) adjudicating medical authorities and (c) medical appeal tribunals, as to what is considered the appropriate loss of faculty in cases of mucous membrane disease.

Figures relating to the number of claims to mucous membrane disease(D4) prior to April 1992 are not available, as figures relating to individual prescribed diseases are not routinely kept, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, as a result of a special exercise undertaken by the Department following the take up campaign I am able to tell you that from June 1992 until the end of February this year 4,146 claims had been received for Prescribed Disease D4 in the Tyne Tees Area.

In answer to your second question ; the Department issues "Notes on the Diagnosis of Prescribed Diseases", to the senior medical officers who organize the training of Adjudicating Medical Authorities. Copies of this guidance have been placed in the Library. These adjudicating authorities must make up their own minds on the evidence of particular cases. Medical Appeal Tribunals (MATs) operate independently of the Department as part of the Independent Tribunal Service and the Secretary of State does not issue guidance on such matters to MATs.

I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.

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Care Homes

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the implications of his policy of curtailing payment of residential allowance to claimants in care homes when the claimant is away from the care home for longer than six days.

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Mr. Burt : We have recently received a number of representations from hon. Members and others on this issue and we are giving careful consideration to all the implications. We shall make an announcement shortly.

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