asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what study he has made of the implications of the introduction of the employers' statutory sick pay for the employment prospects of the chronically sick, elderly and disabled.

There is no evidence that the widespread existence of occupational sick pay provisions has damaged the job prospects of people who are disabled or chronically sick. The operation of the scheme after it is implemented will be monitored carefully. People over minimum pension age are, of course, excluded from the statutory sick pay scheme and can claim State incapacity benefit.