To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims against claimants of income support who have been overpaid were stayed awaiting the decision in B v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2005] EWCA Civ 929 by the Court of Appeal; how many of those have since been pursued; how many have been written off; and if he will make a statement. (94462)

No cases have been stayed as a result of B v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. The Court of Appeal found in favour of The Secretary of State in this case, and a petition has now been lodged against that decision to the European Court of Human Rights. Pending the outcome of that petition, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the case.