To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state the number of claimants who have been refused attendance allowance; and to what extent the criteria to award attendance allowance takes account of people with restricted mobility being able to attend to their solid fuel heating systems. [37196]

In 1994–95, the last full year for which figures are available, the Benefits Agency cleared 486,506 claims for attendance allowance, of which 146,924 were refused.Entitlement to attendance allowance depends on the extent to which a severely disabled person needs attention in connection with their bodily functions and/or supervision to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others. The criteria do not relate specifically to a claimants' home heating arrangements.