To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many times since incapacity benefit began the adjudicating authorities have decided against the opinion of Benefits Agency medical services doctors in cases of (a) mental illness and (b) physical illness in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) Wales, and (iii) England. [6257]

Decisions on capacity are taken by independent adjudication officers who are required to take account of all relevant evidence, including medical advice from a Benefits Agency doctor. Information on the extent to which the decisions of adjudication officers concur with medical advice is not available.