House of Commons Hansard Debates for 13 Jul 1993

Putney Royal Hospital

Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what correspondence the Minister for Disabled People has had about removing the inscription, "Royal Hospital for Incurables", from the facade of Putney Royal hospital ; what action he has taken ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Scott : While I have seen copies of some correspondence about this matter, I have not been involved directly since this is primarily a matter between the hospital and the planning department of the London borough of Wandsworth.

Child Support Agency

Mr. Frank Field : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will instruct the Child Support Agency to collect data on the numbers of parents who use the agency on a voluntary as well as a compulsory basis.

Mr. Burt : I am informed by Mrs. Ros Hepplewhite, the agency's chief executive, that the agency already collects data on the number of applications received from parents who are not in receipt of benefit and who choose whether they wish to use the agency's services.

As the agency has, however, been operational for only three months reliable figures are not yet available for publication.

Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases, in the last 12 months the Child Support Agency has been involved with the use of DNA genetic fingerprinting methods to establish the paternity of a child during the pursuance of a maintenance claim ; and if he will separately distinguish England and Wales.

Mr. Burt : The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Mrs. Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library. Letter from Mrs. R. Hepplewhite to Mr. Gareth Wardell, dated 12 July 1993 :

As Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of cases in the last 12 months in which the Agency has been involved with the use of DNA genetic fingerprinting in order to establish paternity.

The Agency is not directly involved in the process of DNA testing but may in disputed cases apply to the courts for a declaration of paternity. In such cases the Agency supplies conventional evidence in support of its application and the question of DNA testing will not normally arise except at the suggestion of the court and with the agreement of all parties. Where the Agency meets the cost of those fees it will seek recovery from any court costs awarded in its favour.

Figures for the period 1 April 1992-31 March 1993 are not yet available, but in the year ending March 1992, DNA testing was an issue in less than 1 per cent. of the 1,000 cases in which the Department made application to the courts for a declaration of paternity. I am afraid that I do not have a breakdown of figures between England and Wales.

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

Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the maximum number of

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assessments which the Child Support Agency can carry out on an individual in any year for which a fee of £44 is charged ; (2) what has been the total income of the Child Support Agency from assessment fees collected since its establishment.

As Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the income collected by the Agency in assessment fees and the number of maintenance assessments provided for the sum of £44.

The Agency has to date collected a total of £13,000 in fees, but figures are not yet available as to fees charged for assessment and fees charged for collection.

The annual assessment fee is payable on the date the first maintenance application is made, and at yearly intervals thereafter. There is no restriction placed on the number of assessments carried out in any given year and no additional sum will be levied over the annual fee.

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

Care Benefits

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disability living allowance mobility component claimants have successfully claimed care components after their 66th birthday.

Mr. Scott : The administration of disability living allowance 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 Mr. M. Bichard to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 12 July 1993 :

As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many disability living allowance mobility component claimants have successfully claimed care components after their 66th birthday.

Up to 28 February 1993 the total number of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) mobility component recipients that have successfully claimed the care component on or after their 66th birthday is 7,420. A more up to date figure is not available as numbers are only collated quarterly and information about the last quarter is not yet to hand.

The figure provided excludes any DLA mobility component recipient over the age of 66 who may have received the care component subsequent to either a review of the original decision or upon appeal. Statistics for these two types of occurrence are not available.

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

Disability

Ms Coffey : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will include, when notifying claimants of their entitlement to disability living allowance and

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attendance allowance, information about the entitlement to extras such as income support, housing benefit and community charge benefit.

Mr. Scott : The administration of disability living allowance 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 Mr. M. Bichard to Ms Ann Coffey dated 12 July 1993 : As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking if he will include, when notifying claimants of their entitlement to DLA and AA, information about the entitlement to extras such as income support, housing benefit and community charge benefit.

When a customer is advised of their entitlement to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) they also receive a copy of form DLA 95. This form advises them of their possible title to other benefits. Amongst other benefits outlined in the DLA 95 are Income Support, Housing Benefit and Community Charge Benefit.

Similarly, a customer receiving an award notification for Attendance Allowance (AA) will also receive form DS 668. This provides equivalent information to that contained in the DLA 95. I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications he has received for ex gratia payments resulting from delays in (a) disability living allowance, (b) attendance allowance and (c) mobility allowance ; how many claims were successful ; and what total ex gratia payments have been made for each benefit.

Letter from Mr. M. Bichard to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 12 July 1993 :

As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many applications he has received for ex gratia payments resulting from delays in (a) Disability Living Allowance (DLA), (b) Attendance Allowance (AA) and (c) Mobility Allowance (Moba) ; how many claims were successful ; and what total ex gratia payments have been made for each benefit. The information requested is not recorded in the format required. I am therefore not able to give you a breakdown by benefit. I can confirm, however, that for the period 9 July 1992 to 7 July 1993 out of 480 applications for ex gratia payments received, in respect of all three benefits, 208 were subsequently withdrawn, 96 were refused and 176 were successful. The total amount paid comes to some £9,200. I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.

Maintenance Allowance

Sir David Steel : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what plans he has to change the process of maintenance allowance assessments to ensure that

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mothers who are out of work and wishing to receive an assessment do not have to wait longer than mothers who are in work.

Mr. Burt [pursuant to his reply, 6 July 1993, column 125] : The following information was incorrect :

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The Child Support Agency is introducing the new child support maintenance arrangements from scratch and it would have been unrealistic to take on cases over a four-year period.

The Correct information is as follows :

The Child Support Agency is introducing the new child support maintenance arrangements from scratch and it would have been unrealistic to take on all cases immediately. Take-on will therefore be phased over a four-year period.

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