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Mr. Scott : The costs of each measure in the first full year (1991- 92 unless otherwise stated) are set out as follows : 1. Increase in the adult disability premium:£18 million. 2. Alignment of disabled child premium with adult rate: £8 million.
3. Carer's Premium: £15 million.
4. Abolition of Attendance Allowance six month waiting period for the terminally ill: £26 million.
5. Attendance Allowance for children under two years old: £5 million.
6. Extension of Invalid Care Allowance to many carers as a result of 4 and 5 above: £3 million.
7. Extension of Mobility Allowance to the deaf-blind: £5 million.
8 and 9. Increases in the Invalid Care Allowance earnings rule and in the incapacity benefits Therapeutic Earnings Limit together with the extension of Invalidity Benefit to those on Employment Rehabilitation Courses: less than £1 million.
10. Additional funds for the Independent Living Fund (1990-91) : £19 million.
Families With Children
Ms. Harman : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of the extra £70 million he is spending on families with children by each measure announced in his uprating statement on 25 October, Official Report, columns 841 to 854.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : The cost of extra measures to help least well-off families with children in the first full year (1991-92) will be as follows :
Addition of 50p to family premium in Income Support--£34 million.
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Addition of £1 to adult credit in Family Credit--£16 million. Addition of £1.10 to lone parent premium in Housing Benefit and Community Charge Benefit--£2 million.Raising of Housing Benefit disregard on earnings to £25 for lone parents--£11 million.
Raising Social Fund Maternity Grant from £85 to £100--£3 million. Two other measures will extend further help to less well off families :
Raising Disabled Child Premium to level of adult Disability Premium-- £8 million.
That part of the cost of extending Attendance Allowance for children under 2 which will benefit families in Income Support--£1 million.
Child Benefit
Ms. Harman : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of (a) families with children and (b) children which would not be brought into income-related benefits if child benefit were increased in line with inflation in 1990-91.
Mr. Scott : The effects of not increasing child benefit should not be viewed in isolation. For example, it is important to have regard to the extra help which will be made available to families with children. However, in very broad terms, the decision not to uprate child benefit this year is expected to increase the family credit caseload by up to 5,000 in 1990-91 ; by a few thousand for income support ; and by an even smaller number for housing benefit. It is estimated that these families may include up to 16,000 children overall.
Ms. Harman : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of uprating child benefit in line with inflation in 1990- 91.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : To increase the rate of child benefit in line with the increase of 7.6 per cent. in the retail prices index between September 1988 and September 1989 would cost around £250 million net of savings on other benefits.
Social Fund
Ms. Harriet Harman : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the budget for the social fund will be in 1990, broken down into community care grants, budgeting loans and crisis loans, in both gross and net terms.
Mr. Scott : The information requested is as follows :
£ million
|Community care grants|Budgeting and crisis
|loans
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross |61 |144
Net |61 |39
Disability
Mr. Hannam : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date he expects section 7 of the Disabled Persons Act 1986 to be implemented.
Mr. Freeman : I have been asked to reply.
We have received proposed guidelines from a disability organisation for the implementation of section 7 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and
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Representation) Act 1986. The Government's position on the implementation of section 7 will be made clear in the White Paper on Community Care which will be published shortly.Mr. Hannam : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date he expects to publish the first report to Parliament on the development of community care services under section 11 of the 1986 Disabled Persons Act.
Mr. Freeman : I have been asked to reply.
The first report will be laid before Parliament before the end of this year.
SCOTLAND
Domiciliary Care
Mr. Andrew Welsh : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to meet representatives of Scottish local authorities to discuss the new arrangements regarding Department of Social Security payments to local authorities for domiciliary care, to be introduced in April 1991.
Mr. Lang : I met the social work committee of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about the Government's proposals for community care on 8 September and agreed that further discussions would be arranged, as appropriate, after publication of the Government's detailed proposals in a White Paper.
Scottish Enterprise
Mr. Andrew Welsh : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make it his policy to include in the plans for Scottish Enterprise a body to ensure that no funds from Scottish Enterprise go to businesses or activities which are likely to increase pollution or to endanger the environment ;
(2) what requirements will be included in the plans for Scottish Enterprise to ensure that no funds from Scottish Enterprise go to businesses or activities which are likely to increase pollution or to endanger the environment.
Mr. Lang : We intend that Scottish Enterprise will promote economic development and training in lowland Scotland, and further the improvement of the environment. There is already a range of statutory and other safeguards designed to prevent businesses from causing unacceptable pollution or damage to the environment.
Local Government Finance
Mr. Darling : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on the requirement to provide the ages of those included on the poll tax register ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of representations on this issue.
X-ray Equipment (Roodlands Hospital)
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the age and condition of X-ray equipment at Roodlands hospital,
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Haddington ; and what steps are taken to ensure that the equipment complies with required standards for the examination of patients.Mr. Michael Forsyth : Information about the equipment at Roodlands hospital is a matter for Lothian health board.
Young People
Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the numbers of (a) 16-year-olds and (b) 17-year-olds who stayed on at school, non-advanced further education or higher education in the current year ; and what percentage these totals represented of the estimated total population in these age groups in Scotland in 1989.
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Mr. Lang [holding answer 9 November 1989] : The information for 1989 and in the form requested is not available.
Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the numbers and age group percentages of (a) 16-year-olds and (b) 17-year- olds(i) continuing in school education, (ii) entering non-advanced further education, (iii) entering higher education, (iv) entering YTS, (v) entering employment, in each of the past five years for which figures are available.
Mr. Lang [holding answer 9 November 1989] : The information requested is not available in the form requested since young people may enter the various categories of education and employment more than once in a year. Information on the educational and economic activity of 16 and 17- year-olds in Scotland at autumn 1986 and 1987 is given in the table.
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1986 1987
16-year-olds 17-year-olds 16-year-olds 17-year-olds
Activity at autumn |number |per cent. |number |per cent. |number |per cent. |number |per cent.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-time education:
School |48,600 |59 |19,200 |23 |48,600 |61 |19,400 |24
Non-advanced FE (excluding YTS) |3,600 |4 |5,200 |6 |3,100 |4 |4,500 |5
Higher education |- |- |3,500 |4 |100 |- |3,400 |4
Youth training scheme |17,100 |21 |13,700 |16 |16,500 |21 |19,700 |24
Unemployed and claiming benefit |7,700 |9 |15,400 |18 |7,100 |9 |11,800 |14
Other (including employment) |5,300 |6 |26,800 |32 |4,200 |5 |23,300 |28
|--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |---
Total population |82,400 |100 |83,800 |100 |79,600 |100 |82,000 |100
Notes:
1. School pupils include some 16-year-olds who were too young to leave school the previous session.
2. Many of the young people on YTS are also participating in part-time non-advanced FE.
3. Because of rounding the columns may not sum to the totals shown.
Note-Similar information for earlier years is not readily available.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
House of Fraser Holdings
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of the Department of Trade and Industry report into House of Fraser Holdings which was leaked to Lonrho/ The Observer ; whether this numbered copy is or was in the possession of the fraud squad ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Redwood : I have been asked to reply.
Investigations into the leak of the report are continuing and I cannot comment on the matters to which the hon. Member refers.
Car Imports and Exports
Mr. Teddy Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what tax is levied on cars imported from Japan ; and what tax is levied on British cars exported to Japan.
Mr. Redwood : Cars imported into the United Kingdom from Japan are subject to an import duty of 10 per cent. Like all other cars they are also subject to a car tax of 10 per cent. and, at point of sale, VAT of 15 per cent. No import duty is levied on cars imported into Japan ; however, all new cars are subject to consumption tax of 6 per cent. and acquisition tax of 5 per cent. Each time a car is sold secondhand in Japan, it is subject to consumption tax of 3 per cent.
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Jaguar plc
Mr. Chris Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the exact time on the afternoon of Tuesday 31 October at which he informed the board of Jaguar of his decision to relinquish the Government's golden share.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : Sir John Egan was informed at 11.45 on the morning of Tuesday 31 October.
Manufacturing Output
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is his estimate of the import content of heavy commercial motor vehicles exported from the United Kingdom in 1988 and 1989 to date having regard to their provenance ; what was the corresponding figure in 1959, 1972 and 1979 ; and what effect free trade with the EEC has had on the United Kingdom content and on output and employment in the United Kingdom heavy commercial vehicle industry ;
(2) what is his estimate of the import content of motor cars exported from the United Kingdom in 1988 and in 1989 to date having regard to their provenance ; what was the corresponding figure in 1959, 1972 and 1979 ; and what effect free trade with the EEC hs had on the United Kingdom content and on output and employment in the United Kingdom motor car industry ;
Mr. Douglas Hogg [holding answer 9 November 1989] : The information is not available.
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Manufacturing Output
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the years 1963, 1968, 1974, 1979, 1984 and 1989 to date the ratio of imports to output of (a) textiles and clothing and (b) chemicals, and man- made fibres, together with the relevant weights in the index of manufacturing output ;
(2) whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the years 1963, 1968, 1974, 1979, 1984 and 1989to date the ratio of imports to output of (i) metals and (ii) rubber and plastics together with the relevant weights in the index of manufacturing output.
Mr. Redwood [holding answer 9 November 1989] : The readily available information is :
|Textiles and clothing<1>|Chemicals and man-made |Metals<3> |Rubber and plastics<4>
|fibres<2>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imports as percentage of output
1975 |22.8 |20.2 |30.9 |13.3
1979 |33.6 |26.9 |28.7 |17.7
1984 |48.1 |35.5 |41.1 |26.1
<5>1988-89 |55.9 |38.7 |50.0 |27.7
Weights in index of manufacturing output<6> (Parts per thousand)
1963 |89.2 |95.1 |64.3 |26.3
1970 |77.5 |87.8 |63.9 |33.2
1975 |74.1 |89.3 |56.5 |34.6
1980 |58.8 |91.9 |34.3 |38.3
1985 |57.7 |103.6 |37.8 |38.1
<1>For 1963-75 defined as order XIII and order XV plus part MLH 473 less MLH 411, 429/1 and 450 of the Standard Industrial Classification 1968 (SIC
68). For 1979-1989 defined as class 43 plus group 453 and 455 of the Standard Industrial Classification 1980 (SIC 80).
<2>For 1963-75 defined as order V plus MLH 411 of the SIC 68. For 1979-89 defined as class 25 and 26 of the SIC 80.
<3>For 1963-75 defined as order VI less MLH 313 of the SIC 68. For 1979-89 defined as class 22 of the SIC 80.
<4>For 1963-75 defined as MLH 491, 492 and 496 of the SIC 68. For 1979-89 defined as class 48 of the SIC 80.
<5>Latest available 12-month period (quarter 2 1988 to quarter 1 1989).
<6>For 1963-75 manufacturing is defined as order 111 to order XIX of the SIC 68. For 1980-85 defined as division 2-4 of the SIC 80.
WALES
Conservation
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress on his proposals for changes to the Nature Conservancy Council and the Countryside Commission in Wales ; and if he will publish the date by which he hopes such changes will be operational.
Mr. Wyn Roberts : Detailed discussions with the statutory agencies concerned on the practical arrangements for establishing the new Countryside Council for Wales are continuing. Subject to parliamentary approval, the changes will take effect from 1 April 1991.
Health Service
Mr. Alex Carlile : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) to how many medical units in Wales he expects to award self-governing status in April 1991 ;
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(2) if he will list those medical units in Wales which have expressed an interest in self-governing status.Mr. Grist : Since to date no applications have been received from health units in Wales seeking self-governing status it is not possible to calculate how many will be agreed by April 1991.
Mr. Alex Carlile : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has set a date by which medical units in Wales must express interest in applying for self-governing status.
Mr. Grist : My right hon. Friend has not set a deadline for the receipt of applications for self-governing status.
Mr. Alex Carlile : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he intends to award self-governing status to medical units in Wales other than acute hospitals with over 250 beds.
Mr. Grist : Whilst self-governing status is likely to be particularly appropriate to major acute hospitals, all hospitals and health units in Wales are potentially eligible.
Porthmadog Bypass
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement of his policy with regard to the construction of a bypass for the town of Porthmadog on the A487 trunk road ; and whether a projected route exists for such a bypass.
Mr. Wyn Roberts : As indicated in "Roads in Wales--Progress and Plans for the 1990s" the case for improving the A487 at Porthmadog is under consideration. That is still the position. No route has been projected for a by-pass.
Action on Litter"
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the additional cost on district councils in Wales which would arise from the full implementation of the proposals in the Government's White Paper entitled "Action on Litter", and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Wyn Roberts : We have made no specific estimate. We do not think that the cost of the proposals set out in the consultation paper need impose a major burden on local authorities since cleaning and other anti- litter measures are already an important part of their day-to-day activities.
In so far as there might be some additional cost, as with all new duties on local authorities, Ministers will take these into account in their deliberations on the revenue support grant.
Water Pollution
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the areas in Wales where domestic water supplies are affected by lead contamination.
Mr. Grist : All areas in Wales should, by the end of next month, comply with the lead standard in the EC directive relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption (80/778/EEC).
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The new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 (S.I. 1989 No. 1147) set a tighter standard for lead in drinking water than the EC directive, reflecting the Government's long- standing policy of reducing exposure to lead in the environment. These regulations provide that where there is a risk that even a single sample might exceed the standard, the water undertaker shall treat the water to remove the risk, if this is practical, or consider replacement of the lead piping. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has accepted an undertaking from Dwr Cymru that all supplies which might potentially breach the new standard will be identified and, where appropriate, remedial measures determined by April 1991. This exercise is in hand.NHS Spending
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will arrange for the total per capita spending on the National Health Service in Wales to be increased to the same amount as that of Scotland.
Mr. Grist : Both the health care needs of the population and the cost of providing appropriate services depend on many factors, some of which vary significantly between Wales and Scotland. To provide the same standard of health care does not require the same per capita expenditure in each country therefore, planned spending on the National Health Service in Wales in 1989-90 is £1,382.8 million (gross) which includes £10 million to fund the review body pay awards which were announced in February 1989 and £5 million additional provision towards the cost of implementing the NHS review. We are now spending over £37 per week per household on the National Health Service compared with £11 per week per household in 1978-79.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Angola
Mr. David Atkinson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will raise within the United Nations the new evidence of the atrocities perpetrated on SWAPO detainees in its prison camps in Angola, and that hundreds of Namibians are being prevented from returning to take part in the current elections under the special arrangements agreed to by the Administrator-General ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maude : We have on a number of occasions raised with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and with the South West African People's Organisation the question of detainees held in Angola. We will continue to support the efforts of the United Nations to trace those missing.
If the United Nations special representative certifies the elections to have been free and fair, it is vital that all sides accept that judgment, whatever the result.
Dr. Sadel Jawed Kadhum
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received as to the activities of Dr. Sadel Jawed Kadhum in relation to Iraqi intelligence matters.
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Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any member of his Department has ever communicated to persons outside his Department information concerning the relationship between Dr. Sadel Jawed Kadhum and Iraqi intelligence.
Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any member of his Department has ever met Dr. Sadel Jawed Kadhum, director of Matrix Churchill, to discuss matters relating to Iraqi intelligence.
Kampuchea
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) letters and (b) telephone calls have been received by his Department in the last three months concerning Government policy towards Kampuchea ; and how many of these supported the policies of Her Majesty's Government.
Mr. Maude : We have received more than 3,600 letters and about 40 telephone calls over the last three months about our policy towards Cambodia. The majority of correspondents were critical of what they understood to be our policy.
Foreign Affairs Council
Mr. Jacques Arnold : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council on 6 November.
Mr. Maude : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I represented the United Kingdom at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 6 November.
There was brief discussion, on the basis of a Presidency progress report, of work on the various aspects of Frontiers policy. Like the Presidency, my right hon. Friend stressed the importance of effective action against the drugs menace.
In a brief discussion of economic and monetary issues, the Presidency, member states and the Commission indicated that further work should take account of the United Kingdom paper "An Evolutionary Approach to Economic and Monetary Union".
The Council formally adopted the EC/United States steel voluntary restraint arrangement and discussed various other EC/United States trade issues, including the dispute on hormones in meat.
As a further part of its programme to assist economic reform in Poland and Hungary, the Council agreed to liberalise as from 1 January 1990 all discriminatory import restrictions applied against Poland and Hungary. The Council also agreed in principle to add both countries to the list of countries benefiting from the EC's generalised scheme of preferences.
The Commission reported on progress in the GATT Uruguay round. The Council confirmed the importance it attached to a successful outcome to the round and welcomed the acceptance of the EC's offer of Brussels as a venue for the final meeting.
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The Council approved in principle the generalised scheme of preferences for 1990.The Council discussed follow-up to the audio-visual conference in Paris in October.
In the margins of the Council, I attended a biennial meeting of the EC/Egypt Co-operation Council. Separately, and in advance, my right hon. Friend also had a separate meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister.
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