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Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the amount of forest recreation and amenity subsidy made to the Forestry Commission in Scotland and in England and Wales in each year since 1979 ; and if he will reprice the figures for inflation.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The information is set out in the table :
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Year to 31 March |Scotland |England and Wales|Scotland |England and Wales
(£ thousands) (£ thousands revalued
at 1988 equivalents)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1980 |1,070 |2,463 |1,844 |4,240
1981 |1,036 |2,349 |1,512 |3,428
1982 |1,016 |2,476 |1,377 |3,353
1983 |1,143 |2,649 |1,440 |3,337
1984 |1,278 |3,058 |1,530 |3,660
1985 |1,374 |3,212 |1,572 |3,677
1986 |1,877 |3,936 |2,029 |4,257
1987 |1,905 |4,731 |2,000 |4,968
1988 |2,637 |5,826 |2,637 |5,826
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the division among the three conservancies, north Scotland, mid-Scotland and south
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Scotland of the forest recreation and amenity subsidy made to the Forestry Commission in Scotland in each year since 1979 ; and if he will reprice the figures for inflation.Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The information is set out in the table :
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Conservancy (£ Conservancy (£
thousands) thousands revalued to
1988 equivalents)
Year to 31 March |North |East<1> |South |West |North |East<1> |South |West
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1980 |263 |214 |312 |281 |453 |369 |538 |484
1981 |305 |259 |275 |197 |445 |378 |401 |288
1982 |238 |273 |274 |231 |322 |370 |372 |313
1983 |272 |353 |268 |250 |342 |445 |338 |315
1984 |318 |337 |344 |279 |381 |403 |412 |334
1985 |332 |338 |300 |354 |380 |444 |343 |405
|North |Mid |South |North |Mid |South
1986 |542 |784 |551 |586 |848 |595
1987 |588 |656 |661 |617 |689 |694
1988 |720 |965 |952 |720 |965 |952
<1>The former East Scotland Conservancy was assimilated into the Mid Scotland and North Scotland Conservancies in 1985.
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the items of expenditure covered by the forest recreation and amenity subsidy made to the Forestry Commission in Scotland in the year to 3 March 1988.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The forest recreation and amenity subsidy is spent on a wide variety of items, including visitor centres, picnic areas, car parks, toilet blocks, forest walks, interpretative facilities, wildlife conservation, streamside improvements, archaeological conservation, amenity work, landscape improvement and the provision of facilities for specialised pursuits and events such as horse-riding and orienteering.
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many jobs have been lost through afforestation in each year from 1983.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : Statistics on comparative job losses and gains as a result of afforestation are not collected.
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of Forestry Commission trees in Scotland have been damaged by atmospheric pollution.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 5 December 1988 at column 46.
Farm Woodland Scheme
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers have applied for grants under the farm woodland scheme ; what acreage has been planted under the scheme ; and what proportion of this acreage has been planted with (a) broadleaves and (b) conifers. Mr. Michael Forsyth : Since the scheme opened at the beginning of October 1988, a total of 130 farmers in Scotland have applied for grants under the farm woodland scheme relating to a total planting area in excess of 1,300 hectares ; twenty applications have so far been approved and it is expected that the vast majority of the remaining 110 applications will be dealt with in time for planting to be undertaken in the current planting year. Information on the amount and nature of planting undertaken is not yet available.
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Football Matches (Arrests)
Mr. Wareing : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was (a) the number of association football matches played at Ibrox Park, Glasgow, during the 1987-88 season, (b) the total attendance during the season, (c) the total arrests in association with these matches, (d) the average attendance per match, (e) the average number of arrests per match and (f) the arrests as a percentage of the attendance.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : Glasgow Rangers football club and the chief constable, of the Strathclyde police, have provided the information on which the following table is based :
|c|Association Football Matches at Ibrox Park, Glasgow
during season|c|
|c|1987-88|c|
|Number
------------------------------------------------------------
a. Matches played. |43
b. Total attendance. |1,072,001
c. Total associated arrests. |407
d. Average attendance per match. |24,930
e. Average number of arrests per match. |9
f. Arrests as percentage of attendance. |0.038
Heritage
Mr. Bill Walker : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the main conclusions of the policy review of the Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : As part of the Government's programme of periodic reviews of non-departmental public bodies, a policy review has been undertaken of the activities and functions of the Royal Commission on the ancient and historical monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) and the equivalent bodies for England and Wales. This review is being conducted jointly with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales. We shall be announcing the detailed conclusions of the review in due course.
There are however certain major issues of principle arising from the review which my right hon. and learned Friend has decided can be settled now, in advance of the
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completion of the review. These are the question of whether the RCAHMS should be retained, the organisational and management arrangements of the royal commission, and the scope for transfer of heritage functions to the royal commission.The review has established that the task of creating and maintaining a national heritage archive remains a necessary and important feature of heritage policy. We have concluded that the RCAHMS should remain as a separate body charged with performing this function and designated as the national body for survey and recording of historic building and ancient monuments.
We have also decided that the royal commission's activities should be more closely aligned with wider considerations of heritage policy. To facilitate this, the historic buildings and monuments directorate of the Scottish Development Department will become sponsoring Department for the RCAHMS. This will be accompanied by changes in the management operations of the commission to bring it into line with current practice. These will include the institution of a corporate planning system, the development of performance measures and indicators, and the provision of a financial memorandum.
The study by outside consultants which formed the first stage in the policy review suggested that there might be scope for transferring certain heritage functions from the directorate of the RCAHMS. These functions included some features of responsibility for the listing of historic buildings, the scheduling of ancient monuments, and rescue archaeology. My right hon. and learned Friend has, however, concluded that the existing arrangements for the listing of historic buildings and the scheduling of ancient monuments remain appropriate. Listing and scheduling are linked to considerations of conservation rather than of survey and record. As regards funding of rescue archaeology, the arguments of principle for and against a transfer are finely balanced, but we have concluded that transferring this responsibility to the RCAHMS is not practicable at this stage.
With these issues of principle now resolved, we consider that the review has mapped out a clear role for the royal commission in the future conservation of our heritage and has identified the organisational and management arrangements necessary to assist the commission in discharging this role to the full. I have written to the chairman of the RCAHMS to inform him of our conclusions.
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Nuvan 500 EC
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the proportions of toxicity data for Nuvan500 EC which have been extrapolated from laboratory tests and from field studies, such as bioassays and ecological surveys ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Michael Forsyth [holding answer 26 January 1989] : Data has been provided by the manufacturer of Nuvan 500 EC to the veterinary products committee in support of the company's application for the product to be licensed for use as a medicine. Information in support of an application for a medicinal product licence is a matter of commercial confidentiality. The publication of such information and the tests on which it is based would be a matter for the company concerned.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland has carried out its own investigations into the environmental effect of dichlorvos, the active ingredient of Nuvan and its possible toxicity to a number of marine organisms. All of the toxicity data so far obtained by DAFS scientists in these investigations is derived from laboratory studies.
As I indicated in my reply of 12 January to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mrs. Michie) at column 726, results of the studies so far of the toxicity of dichlorvos to the larval forms of the lobster (Homarus gammarus) and the herring (Clupea Hargenus) will be published later this year. Other studies (including possible field studies) are planned on the effects on marine life of prolonged or repeated exposure to low levels of dichlorvos.
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the past five years the number of deaths which have occurred at the Inverclyde royal hospital ; what was the cause in each case ; how many of these deaths were the subject of a fatal accident inquiry ; what was the result in each case ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Michael Forsyth [holding answer 15 February 1989] : The table shows the number of deaths recorded for eah year over the period. Mandatory or discretionary inquiries under the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 are known to have been held in respect of five deaths. Two of these related to accidents which occurred outwith the hospital and did not involve consideration of any treatment received. In each case a determination was issued by the sheriff. These are available on request from the sheriff clerk's office, Greenock.
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|c|Inverclyde Royal hospital|c|
|c|Number of deaths, by primary diagnosis<1>, in years 1984-88|c|
Diagnosis |1984 |1985 |1986 |1987 |1988
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not known |- |2 |- |1 |13
Infections and Parasitic Disease |4 |1 |2 |5 |4
Neoplasms |179 |160 |152 |165 |169
Endocrine Metabolic Immunity etc. |6 |5 |4 |2 |6
Blood: Blood Forming Organ Disease |1 |3 |2 |2 |3
Mental Disorders |- |1 |- |2 |-
Nervous System Sense Organs |5 |6 |4 |4 |1
Circulation Systems |223 |260 |245 |252 |227
Respiratory System |74 |51 |67 |46 |59
Digestive System |48 |47 |40 |36 |45
Genito-urinary Systems |16 |13 |21 |9 |10
Complications of Pregnancy, Childbirth Puerperium |- |- |- |- |3
Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue |2 |2 |2 |2 |3
Musculoskeletal System Connective Tissue |5 |1 |2 |3 |-
Congenital Anomalies |1 |1 |1 |- |-
Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period |- |- |- |- |-
Symptoms, Signs Ill Defined |24 |35 |26 |31 |18
Injury Poisoning |29 |32 |32 |36 |20
|--- |--- |--- |--- |---
Total |617 |620 |600 |596 |581
<1> Primary diagnosis is used rather than certified cause of death, although in most cases this will be the
same.
Shipyards
Mr. David Porter : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money his office is putting into the St. Helena ferry project for the Overseas Development Administration following the collapse of Hall Russell, Aberdeen ; and if he will make a statement on his policy for subsidising Scottish shipyards.
Mr. Lang [holding answer 20 February 1989] : Hall Russell won the order for the St. Helena ship in open competition after full evaluation of the competing bids. When confirming the placing of the contract the Government were aware that Hall Russell could face financial difficulties if additional orders were not secured. In order for the contract to proceed in Aberdeen the Scottish Office agreed to make a contribution to the overseas aid programme in the event of additional costs above an agreed level being incurred. Additional costs will now inevitably arise because of receivership at Hall Russell, but the amount of any Scottish Office contribution has still to be determined.
Polkemmet Bing
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking through Scottish Department officials to alleviate the position at Polkemmet Bing.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 20 February 1989] : Power of control over emissions of smoke and fumes from colliery spoil banks rests with local authorities under the terms of the Clear Air Act 1956, but my officials have been in contact with West Lothian district council to offer advice and assistance with monitoring of air pollution levels and interpretation of results. They have visited Polkemmet together with officials of the district council and have participated in discussions with British Coal as to how best to tackle the Bing.
Chapelcross Power Station
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) Official Report, 26 January, column 716, whether the spent nuclear fuel cooling ponds at Chapelcross are built to the same structural standards as the nuclear power plant ; and whether the site licences take into account air crash potential on spent nuclear fuel cooling ponds.
Mr. Lang [holding answer 9 February 1989] : The spent nuclear fuel cooling ponds at Chapelcross are an integral part of the nuclear power station and are built to the same structural standards. The ponds themselves have a robust construction, are partially below ground and therefore have a degree of internal strength.
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The nuclear site licences cover the whole plant including the spent fuel cooling ponds as well as the reactors themselves. All aspects of safety including potential air crashes are considered by the nuclear installations inspectorate in the granting of licences to operators of nuclear plant.The safety considerations applying to the cooling ponds are therefore the same as those outlined in my reply to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen).
SOCIAL SECURITY
Race Relations and Equal Opportunity
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will describe his Department's principal achievements in respect of race relations and equal opportunity since May 1979.
Mr. Moore : In the employment field my Department has implemented many of the recommendations of the joint review of policies and procedures on race relations in the Civil Service (1983) and the programme of action for women (1984), through its network of equal opportunities officers established in 1985. The more significant initiatives on race equality which have been carried out include : (a) participation in the phased programme of departmental ethnic surveys of staff which was completed last year with the then DHSS response rate averaging 75 per cent.,
(b) the introduction of ethnic monitoring of recruitment in 1987 when early surveys indicated a shortfall in ethnic minority recruits compared with the ethnic minority working population ; positive action in recruitment such as the use of ethnic media to attract ethnic minority recruits,
(c) participation (as one of four departments) in an OMCS initiative in London and the south-east to provide access training for potential executive officer recruits from ethnic minority groups,
(d) a study in 1987 of ethnic monitoring of promotion which is being followed up this year with further monitoring of promotion and job allocation, and
(e) the commitment to sponsor a Windsor fellow in 1990. With regard to sex equality, my Department has seen an increasing number of women progressing to middle and senior management grades--about 16 per cent. of SEOs and above are women. Encouragement is also given to part-time working and job sharing with 6 per cent. of staff now working part time--over 5,500 officers. Improved special leave provisions have specifically targeted help for single parents and those caring for elderly or infirm relatives and a keeping in touch scheme was introduced in 1988 which allows preferential reinstatement for people who have to take a break from work for domestic reasons. In the area of child care, care parent and holiday play schemes assist staff working at the Department's Newcastle office and further holiday play schemes are planned for 1989. My Department also runs a successful management development course for women in grades HEO to grade 7.
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As far as benefit policy and service provision and concerned ethnic origin is not relevant to entitlement to benefit. There has been a continuing programme to ensure that social security legislation conforms with the requirements of the relevant Community directives on equal treatment for men and women in statutory and occupational schemes. Thus, clause 19 and schedule 3 of the Social Security Bill currently before this House will, if Parliament passes it, implement Council directive 86/378/EEC.As far as means-tested benefits are concerned, income support and its predecessor, supplementary benefit, have been available to men and women on exactly the same conditions since November 1983. Prior to this date only the male partner of a couple could claim benefit. My Department has recognised the particular problems faced by members of ethnic minorities in claiming benefits and has developed a range of measures to assist them. The more important initiatives include :
(a) publication in six Asian languages and Turkish, of the leaflet "Which benefit?", which covers the whole range of social security benefits,
(b) a free telephone advice and information service in Urdu and Punjabi,
(c) training courses for local office staff which are designed to equip them to serve successfully a multi-racial community, (d) an interpreter/liaison service in Bradford, and
(e) signs and posters to help ethnic minority callers in local offices and public areas.
Model guidance on equal opportunities implications of policy proposals, recommended by the ministerial group on women's issues, covers race and sex discrimination and has been extended in my Department to include disability issues. This guidance will shortly be circulated to divisional heads and this will direct attention to equal opportunities issues in all areas of the Department's business.
National Insurance
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the yield from employers' national insurance contributions in the last year.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The information is as follows :
|c|Estimated yield from
employers' national insurance
contributions|c|
|£ billion
------------------------------
1987-88 |14.38
1988-89 |15.28
Figures include National Health Service allocation contributions and exclude deductions in respect of statutory sick pay and the statutory maternity pay. Estimates for 1988-89 were published in the Autumn Statement.
Mrs. Rhoda Thompson
Mr. Devlin : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security why Mrs. Rhoda Thompson of 25 Lerwick crescent, Middlesbrough has still not been sent her transitional payments in respect of November ; and why payments are not being sent to the temporary address notified to the transitional payments unit on a number of occasions.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Payments are now being made correctly and I have written to my hon. Friend today.
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Benefits (South Yorkshire)
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are claiming income support in the Doncaster and Mexborough areas of South Yorkshire ; what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979 ; what was the actual percentage increase or decrease between the figures for 1979 and the latest figures ; and what are the comparable national figures.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The table shows the number of people receiving income support and its predecessor, supplementary benefit. Figures have been supplied for the Department's local office at Doncaster East, Doncaster West and Wath-on-Dearne which serve the Don Valley constituency, although their boundaries are not conterminous.
|Doncaster East|Doncaster West|Wath-on-Dearne
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplementary Benefit
27 November 1979 |5,818 |7,082 |4,170
2 December 1980 |6,605 |8,371 |4,931
9 December 1981 |8,284 |10,730 |6,088
7 December 1982 |9,546 |12,386 |6,638
6 December 1983 |10,269 |12,633 |7,172
12 December 1984 |11,081 |14,193 |7,891
11 December 1985 |11,498 |14,188 |8,073
10 December 1986 |11,806 |15,131 |8,231
18 November 1987 |11,712 |14,559 |7,879
Income Support
30 November 1988 |10,164 |12,951 |7,118
Percentage increase
between 27
November 1979
and 30
November 1988
(rounded) |75 |83 |71
E
|c|Nationally:|c|
|Numbers
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplementary Benefit on 27 November 1979 |2,971,981
Income Support on 30 November 1988 |4,325,232
Percentage increase between 27 November 1979 and
30 November 1988 (rounded) |46
Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action. The figures given
include a small number of cases not actually in receipt of benefit.
The data for 1988 are provisional and subject to amendment.
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many new claims for income support were made in each month since 11 April 1988 at the Doncaster and Mexborough officers of his Department ; and how many claims were determined each month ; (2) what was the average number of new claims and cases since 11 April 1988 awaiting review at the Doncaster and Mexborough offices of his Department which were recorded as outstanding each month ; and how many related to (a) supplementary benefit claims and (b) single payment claims ;
(3) how many unlinked items of correspondence were recorded each month since 11 April 1988 at the Doncaster and Mexborough offices of his Department ;
(4) what load of current cases the Doncaster and Mexborough offices of his Department have carried in the past six months.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The information available is set out in the tables.
The figures on unlinked post are supplied from local office records. The source of the live load count is the 100
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per cent. count of cases in action and is available only on a quarterly basis. The figures given include a small number of cases not acually in receipt of benefit.Column 591
Ending last day of 1989
month 1988
|April |May |June |July |August |September|October |November |December |January
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doncaster East
Income support
Claims
Intake |581 |688 |852 |1,111 |830 |985 |906 |873 |646 |860
Processed |467 |703 |894 |1,104 |841 |966 |921 |891 |587 |848
Outstanding |114 |99 |107 |114 |103 |122 |107 |89 |148 |160
Assessment review outstanding |82 |47 |63 |52 |88 |114 |47 |43 |216 |213
Unlinked post |52 |25 |5 |0 |17 |73 |14 |11 |2 |19
Live load |- |- |- |- |10,379 |- |- |10,164 |- |-
Supplementary benefit work outstanding
Claims |8 |2 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
Single payments |123 |9 |8 |8 |5 |3 |2 |2 |0 |0
Additional requirements |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
Doncaster West
Income support
Claims
Intake |794 |911 |994 |1,313 |996 |1,268 |999 |1,039 |758 |1,151
Processed |541 |882 |991 |1,330 |1,075 |1,134 |1,146 |1,021 |785 |1,092
Outstanding |253 |282 |285 |268 |189 |323 |176 |194 |167 |226
Assessment review outstanding |159 |63 |153 |164 |99 |115 |107 |70 |137 |174
Unlinked post |58 |33 |28 |20 |9 |393 |12 |12 |100 |33
Live load |- |- |- |- |12,950 |- |- |12,951 |- |-
Supplementary benefit work outstanding
Claims |94 |7 |3 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
Single payments |1,692 |842 |117 |39 |7 |4 |0 |0 |0 |0
Additional requirements |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
Wath-on-Dearne
Income support
Claims
Intake |437 |571 |589 |668 |569 |740 |623 |627 |453 |661
Processed |316 |564 |603 |657 |584 |692 |660 |605 |456 |655
Outstanding |121 |128 |114 |125 |110 |158 |121 |143 |140 |146
Assessment review outstanding |212 |45 |43 |46 |38 |76 |58 |102 |120 |163
Unlinked post |31 |39 |32 |6 |22 |38 |10 |16 |26 |36
Live load |- |- |- |- |7,222 |- |- |7,118 |- |-
Supplementary benefit work outstanding
Claims |47 |6 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
Single payments |731 |363 |38 |9 |6 |7 |4 |5 |0 |0
Additional requirements |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
Medical Boards
Mr. Frank Field : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is available to members of medical boards concerning the grounds for review of mobility allowance awards.
Mr. Scott : Members of every medical board dealing with an application for a review are supplied with guidance notes. A copy has been placed in the Library.
Board and Lodging Allowance (Lambeth)
Mr. Fraser : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a list of the organisations and hostels for which board and lodging allowance is paid in the London borough of Lambeth.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : There are no plans to publish a list of organisations or hostels in Lambeth which accommodate income support recipients.
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Income Support
Mr. Frank Field : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes are planned for April in the procedures for claiming income support.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : No changes are planned for April in the procedures for claiming income support.
We have been monitoring the operation of the income support claim procedures, and in particular the claim forms, and are satisfied that they are generally working well. Revised claim forms will be introduced in April to reflect the introduction of the community charge in Scotland--there will be separate versions for Scotland and for England and Wales. The revised forms will also incorporate some minor amendments with a view to improving still further our service to the public.
We shall, of course, continue to monitor the effectiveness of the claim forms and procedures and improve them where necessary.
Mr. Jack : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the current number of people in private rest homes receiving
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income support, (b) the total cost of income support for people living in private rest homes, (c) the current number of people in private nursing homes receiving income support and (d) the total cost of income support for people living in private rest homes.Mr. Peter Lloyd : I regret that the information is not available in the form requested. However, relevant information in respect of independent --that is private and voluntary--homes was provided in my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 21 December 1988 at columns 304-6.
Attendance Allowance
Mr. Jack : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in the Official Report the total number of people currently receiving attendance allowance ; if he will give a breakdown of the numbers receiving the higher and lower amounts ; what are the total costs involved ; and if he will give the total number of those receiving the allowance living in private (a) rest homes, and (b) nursing homes.
Mr. Scott : The available information is in the table. Details of the allowances in payment to residents of rest homes and nursing homes are not kept.
A |c|Estimated number of attendance allowance recipients and cost|c| |c|1988-89|c| Estimated average Estimated total cost per number of recipients at year<1> £1 million any one time Thousands All rates<1> |Higher rate |Lower rate ----------------------------------------------------------------- 760 |310 |450 |1,042 <1> Source: Public Expenditure White Paper, January 1989.
Pensioners
Mr. Roy Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will consider creating a standing committee of representatives of the pensioners' movement together with the Minister and senior civil servants dealing with the areas mainly affecting the retired in social security matters.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 17 February at column 404.
Mr. McCrindle : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners have received reduced housing benefit ; what this figure is as a percentage of all pensioners since April 1988 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : I regret that the information is not available.
Column 594
Mr. McCrindle : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of increasing income support for (a) all pensioners and (b) all beneficiaries by 10 per cent.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The estimated costs for income support--excluding boarders and residential or nursing home residents--are :--
(a) £550 million
(b) £1,300 million
Because of the alignment of income-related benefits, the total costs of such changes would be £850 million and £1,850 million respectively.
Retirement Age
Mr. McCrindle : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost for equalising retirement ages for men and women at the ages of 60, 62, 63 and 65 years assuming that everyone elects to retire at the specified age ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The most recent estimates, which are based on 1985 -86 benefit rates, are that the approximate net annual cost to public funds of equalising state pension age at 60 years would be £3, 000 million and at 62 years £800 million ; equalisation at 65 years would save about £500 million. Estimates are not available for equalisation at 63 years.
Mr. McCrindle : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost of abolishing the earnings rule for retired pensioners ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : We estimate that abolition of the retirement pension earnings rule in 1990-91 would involve a public expenditure cost of about £250 million.
Residential Homes for the Elderly
Mr. McCrindle : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number and average cost of private residential accommodation for the elderly in 1986 and 1988 ; how this increase compares with the retail price index ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : I regret that information is not available in the precise form requested. However relevant information in respect of income support payments to people in independent--that is private and voluntary-- homes is provided in the table. Over the corresponding period, the increase in the retail price index was 9.9 per cent.
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"
|c|Supplementary benefit (income support from April 1988)|c|
|c|to people in independent residential care and nursing homes<1>|c|
|Number of |Average payment |Average payment |Expenditure |Expenditure
|claimants (000's) |(£ per week current |(£ per week constant|(£ million current |(£ million constant
|prices) |prices<2>) |prices) |prices)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 1986 |90 |98.1 |107.8 |459 |505
May 1988 |147 |115.0 |115.0 |878 |878
<1>All figures are estimates.
<2>Adjusted to May 1988 prices on basis of retail prices index.
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