asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many grants have now been made under the constant attendance allowance; and how many have been refused or are the subject of appeal.

Up to 8th February, about 72,000 awards of the new attendance allowance had been made including just over 6,000 following a successful application for review. Some 41,000 claims had been unsuccessful and of these 5,000 were subject to an applcation for review which was under consideration.