To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new claims for reduced earnings allowance were made in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that the information is not available because details of claims for industrial injuries benefit do not distinguish between claims for disablement benefit and reduced earnings allowance. However, a special count undertaken last year suggests that about 23,000 claims for reduced earnings allowance were made in 1989.