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Written Answers to Questions
Friday 9 March 1990
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
General Certificate of Secondary Education
Mr. Michael Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make representations to the examining boards to return the start of General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations to the end of May.
Mrs. Rumbold : My right hon. Friend has asked for a meeting with the joint council for the General Certificate of Secondary Education to discuss this matter, among others.
Mr. Michael Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations took place with him on the decision of the examining boards to bring forward to mid-May the start of the General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Rumbold : The General Certificate of Secondary Education examining groups, which are independent bodies and collectively set the timetable for examinations, have not so far held discussions with my right hon. Friend about this, though contacts have taken place at official level. My right hon. Friend has made clear to the joint council for the General Certificate of Secondary Education his concerns about the timetable and looks forward to an early discussion with them.
School Places (Bath)
Ms. Primarolo : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of the High Court judgment in the case of Beechen Cliff school in Avon, he will now reconsider Avon county council's plans for the number of overall places in the Bath area.
City Technology Colleges
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, under the terms of the model funding agreement for city technology colleges, he is precluded on termination of the agreement from requiring the repayment specified in paragraph 23(iv), so that the college continues to operate on a private fee-paying or any other basis with the characteristics set out in paragraph 4 of the model agreement.
Mrs. Rumbold : I refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 54 to 59 of the model funding agreement which set out the course of action which the Secretary of State shall take in the event, inter alia, of the CTC/CCTA company not meeting the conditions and requirements of payment of grant to the CTC/CCTA by the Secretary of State. If, in
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these circumstances, the Secretary of State is not satisfied by responses sought and received from the CTC/CCTA company, paragraph 58 of the agreement provides that he shall give 12 months written notice of his termination of the agreement and that "He shall also give notice that the provisions of section 105(5) (of the Education Reform Act 1988) shall apply, and set out how the CTC/CCTA is to comply with them". Section 105(3) of the Education Reform Act provides that the conditions and the requirements in the agreement include that no charge is made for admission to the CTC/CCTA.Pre-school Education
Mr. Rathbone : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will review the availability and quality of pre-school education in England and Wales ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Rumbold : Pre-school education in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. It is for local authorities in England to determine the most appropriate patterns of pre- school provision for their area. A committee of inquiry under my chairmanship is considering the quality of the educational experience offered to three and four-year-olds across various settings.
TRANSPORT
Medway (Dredging)
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Medway Ports Authority sought his approval under sections 60 or 73 of the Port of London Authority Act before commissioning dredging and associated works in the Medway approach channel ; on what date approval was given ; and whether he imposed any conditions or restrictions relating to the deposit or laying down of dredgings and spoil.
Mr. McLoughlin : The Secretary of State's approval has not been sought to dredging in the Medway approach channel. I understand that the Port of London Authority granted a licence for such dredging to the Medway Ports Authority on 18 September 1989 under section 73 of the Port of London Authority Act 1968.
Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Medway Ports Authority sought his approval, under section 36 of the Medway Ports Authority Act 1975, before dumping dredgings in the area known as Lappel Bank in the Medway approach channel ; on what date approval was given ; and whether he imposed any conditions or restrictions.
Mr. McLoughlin : The Medway Ports Authority sought the Secretary of State's approval on 6 February 1990 under section 36(2) of the Medway Ports Authority Act 1973 to deposit 26,000 cu m of dredged spoil from within the port below the level of mean high water springs at Lappel Bank, Sheerness.
The authority had already sought the Secretary of State's approval on 5 July 1989 under section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949 to reclaim 120.34 acres of the Lappel Bank foreshore, using 2.6 million cu m of spoil dredged from the Medway approach channel.
The authority was advised on 22 September 1989 that there were no navigational objections to the proposed
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works. Approval under section 36(2) of the 1973 Act was granted to deposit material, as specified in the authority's application of 6 February, on 2 March without any conditions or restrictions.Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the importance of the Medway approach channel and Lappel Bank for wildlife and its fulfilment of the criteria for protection under the European Community Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.
Mr. McLoughlin : None. The responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Transport in relation to the works on these sites were limited to considering their effects on safety of navigation.
National Bus Company
Mr. Terry Davis : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department received the draft report from the National Audit Office on the sale of the National Bus Company.
Mr. Portillo : The draft report on the sale of the National Bus Company was submitted to the accounting officer by the Comptroller and Auditor-General on 12 February 1990.
Speeding Traffic
Mr. Thurnham : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce further measures to curb speeding traffic ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Robert Atkins : As I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 5 March, Official Report, column 165, I hope to introduce the new road hump regulations to come into force before Easter. In addition, we shall shortly be consulting on proposals to facilitate the introduction of 20 mph speed- limited zones in residential areas.
ENVIRONMENT
Local Government Finance
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list (a) for May 1989 and (b) to date the establishment for the (i) Hereford, (ii) South Yorkshire, (iii) Worcester and (iv) Humberside valuation and community charge tribunals ; and if any changes are envisaged for the near future ; (2) if he will list for (a) 1980, (b) 1985 and (c) 1987 the establishment for the (i) Humberside, (ii) South Yorkshire, (iii) Worcester and (iv) Hereford local valuation panel.
Mr. Chope : The establishments of the three valuation and community charge tribunals are as follows :
|Hereford and|South |Humberside
|Worcester |Yorkshire
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1980 |6 |5 |3
1985 |6 |5 |4
1987 |6 |4 |4
May 1989 |7 |5 |7
March 1990 |7 |5 |7
The establishments of all valuation and community charge tribunals are to be kept under review in relation to the volume of appeals that they handle.
Sir John Stanley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he made the Community Charge Transitional Relief Report (England) available in the Vote Office.
Mr. David Hunt [holding answer 7 March 1990] : The report was laid on 15 February and copies were placed in the Library. I understand that the Vote Office made the normal arrangements to obtain copies of the report and that 500 copies were made available on 17 February.
Capital Allocations
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of capital allocations which have been issued to each class of local authority for the years 1981-82 to 1989-90 for (a) housing, (b) personal social services, (c) education, (d) transport and (e) other services.
Mr. David Hunt : I have today laid tables giving the information requested in the Library.
Blind and Deaf-blind People
Mr. Gill : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements his Department has made to inform the blind and the deaf-blind about the community charge.
Mr. David Hunt : I have today announced that the Department of the Environment is providing funding of £60,000 to enable the Royal National Institute for the Blind to produce Government information leaflets on the community charge in forms accessible to blind and partially sighted people.
Two key information leaflets will be produced on compact cassette tape and in braille and Moon writing. A further two leaflets will be produced, on tape only.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Health Service Expenditure
Mr. Robin Cook : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give for Northern Ireland for each year since 1974-75 (i) total National Health Service expenditure, (ii) current expenditure on the hospital and community health services, (iii) capital expenditure on the hospital and community health services, (iv) expenditure on the family practitioner services, (v) expenditure on centrally funded National Health Service services, and (vi) expenditure on personal social services, giving each in (a) cash terms, (b) adjusted using the relevant pay and prices index and (c) adjusted using the gross domestic product deflator ; and if he will place in the Library details of the methods used to make these adjustments.
Mr. Needham : The information requested is contained in the tables.
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Table A
Gross expenditure (Northern Ireland) in £ million (cash)
Total Hospital and comFamily Central Other hePersonal
excludinhealth services practitihealth aservice social services
personal services miscellaneous
social services services<1>
|Current|Capital |Current
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1974-75 |134.8 |93.5 |7.8 |26.7 |6.7 |0.1 |19.4
1975-76 |186.8 |131.6 |12.4 |34.7 |7.9 |0.2 |27.4
1976-77 |221.7 |153.7 |14.4 |40.6 |12.7 |0.3 |31.1
1977-78 |242.9 |169.9 |15.1 |47.0 |10.8 |0.1 |37.8
1978-79 |279.8 |195.5 |17.5 |54.1 |12.3 |0.4 |46.8
1979-80 |338.2 |240.0 |20.8 |63.4 |13.6 |0.4 |58.9
1980-81 |429.0 |308.5 |20.4 |80.4 |19.2 |0.5 |74.0
1981-82 |483.2 |344.7 |22.3 |93.0 |22.2 |1.0 |83.8
1982-83 |521.2 |368.4 |21.5 |105.7 |24.6 |1.0 |92.1
1983-84 |561.0 |395.1 |22.0 |116.8 |26.4 |0.7 |99.8
1984-85 |592.0 |415.0 |22.4 |123.2 |30.5 |0.9 |103.4
1985-86 |616.5 |435.2 |21.2 |127.4 |31.5 |1.2 |111.5
1986-87 |664.8 |463.2 |24.8 |139.2 |36.2 |1.4 |116.5
1987-88 |723.0 |502.9 |26.0 |156.0 |36.8 |1.3 |122.2
1988-89 |794.3 |547.8 |31.0 |174.9 |39.5 |1.1 |133.7
1989-90 (plan) |860.3 |591.1 |31.5 |191.3 |44.4 |2.0 |144.4
<1> Includes Departmental Administration.
Table B
Gross expenditure (Northern Ireland) in £ million (purchasing power at
1988-89 prices)
Total Hospital and comFamily Central Other hePersonal
excludinhealth services practitihealth aservice social services
personal services miscellaneous
social services services<1>
|Current|Capital |Current
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1974-75 |617.2 |434.7 |30.5 |117.70 |- |0.4 |74.7
1975-76 |664.1 |474.9 |37.1 |119.30 |- |0.6 |87.6
1976-77 |696.1 |487.5 |38.5 |125.60 |- |0.8 |87.7
1977-78 |699.8 |496.3 |35.3 |133.90 |- |0.2 |97.3
1978-79 |730.3 |521.0 |36.6 |136.40 |- |0.8 |111.2
1979-80 |734.9 |530.6 |36.1 |135.20 |- |0.7 |118.7
1980-81 |735.7 |533.1 |28.1 |140.40 |- |0.7 |124.0
1981-82 |763.9 |550.5 |29.8 |146.80 |- |1.3 |124.9
1982-83 |771.9 |552.2 |28.3 |154.00 |- |1.3 |128.1
1983-84 |791.6 |563.4 |28.3 |161.09 |- |0.9 |131.7
1984-85 |788.0 |559.4 |27.7 |159.40 |- |1.1 |131.1
1985-86 |779.9 |557.9 |24.8 |157.10 |- |1.4 |133.9
1986-87 |790.4 |555.4 |27.6 |163.10 |- |1.6 |133.5
1987-88 |796.0 |555.7 |17.5 |171.00 |- |1.4 |130.4
1988-89 |794.3 |547.8 |31.0 |174.90 |- |1.1 |133.7
1989-90
(plan) |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |- |n/a |n/a
<1> These figures have not been calculated because the heading covers
such a wide variety of items (eg. training, grants to voluntary bodies,
welfare foods, welfare foods, research) that a single inflation factor
would be meaningless.
Note: Specific inflation figures are not available, and HCHS (capital)
figures have been used.
Table C
Gross Expenditure (Northern Ireland) in £ million (real terms at 1988-89
prices) (expenditure adjusted using GDP deflator)
Total Hospital and comFamily Central Other hePersonal
excludinhealth services practitihealth aservice social services
personal services miscellaneous
social services services<1>
|Current|Capital |Current
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1974-75 |532.3 |369.2 |30.8 |105.4 |26.5 |0.4 |76.6
1975-76 |586.6 |413.3 |38.9 |109.0 |24.8 |0.6 |86.0
1976-77 |614.3 |425.9 |39.9 |112.5 |35.2 |0.8 |86.2
1977-78 |591.3 |413.6 |36.8 |114.4 |26.3 |0.2 |92.0
1978-79 |615.3 |429.9 |38.5 |119.0 |27.0 |0.9 |102.9
1979-80 |636.8 |451.9 |39.2 |119.4 |25.6 |0.8 |110.9
1980-81 |682.6 |490.8 |32.5 |127.9 |30.5 |0.8 |117.7
1981-82 |700.2 |499.5 |32.3 |134.8 |32.3 |1.4 |121.4
1982-83 |704.4 |497.9 |29.1 |142.9 |33.2 |1.4 |124.5
1983-84 |724.4 |510.2 |28.4 |150.8 |34.1 |0.9 |128.9
1984-85 |728.3 |510.5 |27.6 |151.6 |37.5 |1.1 |127.2
1985-86 |719.8 |508.1 |24.8 |148.7 |36.8 |1.4 |130.2
1986-87 |750.8 |523.1 |28.0 |157.2 |40.9 |1.6 |131.6
1987-88 |775.4 |539.4 |27.9 |167.3 |39.5 |1.4 |131.1
1988-89 |794.3 |547.8 |31.0 |174.9 |39.5 |1.1 |133.7
1989-90 (plan) |804.0 |552.4 |29.4 |178.8 |41.5 |1.9 |134.7
Home Help Service
Mr. Kilfedder : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the annual expenditure incurred by the Eastern health and social services board is accounted for by the home help service.
Mr. Needham : The answer is 2.86 per cent. of the revenue expenditure in the year ended 31 March 1989.
Family Benefits
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many families in Northern Ireland were in receipt of (a) family credit and (b) income support in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.
Mr. Needham : The available information is as follows :
?
|1987 |1988 |1989
---------------------------------------------------------------
(a) family credit |<1>- |<2>14,507|<3>14,909
(b) income support <4> |<5>56,982|<6>51,500|n.y.a.
<1> Family credit was introduced in April 1988.
<2> As at December 1988.
<3> As at December 1989.
<4> Source: 5 per cent. sample.
<5> As at May 1987.
<6> As at May 1988.
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to the number of families in Northern Ireland who have claimed family credit ; what estimate he has as to what proportion of those eligible this represents ; and what proposals he has for improving take-up.
Mr. Needham : The number of families receiving family credit at 21 February 1990 was 14,699. No reliable estimate of the eligible family credit population in Northern Ireland is available, but the position on take-up is being monitored and further publicity to improve it will be arranged as necessary.
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average length of time taken to process claims for family credit in Northern Ireland local social security offices.
Mr. Needham : Family credit is administered centrally by family credit branch, DHSS, and the average time taken to process claims is 14 days for claims by employed persons and 23 days for claims by self-employed persons.
Licensed Premises
Mr. Colvin : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of his Department's consultation papers, "Metrication : Sales of Spirits on Licensed Premises", were sent out last September ; to whom were they sent ; how many responses he received ; and if he will make a statement.
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Mr. Needham : The Department of Economic Development issued its consultation paper "Metrication : Sales of Spirits for Consumption on Licensed Premises" to 35 trade and other bodies.
Those consulted were : ACE Catering Equipment, Association of Wholesalers to the Licensed Trade of Northern Ireland, Bass Ireland Ltd., Belfast and Ulster Licensed Vintners Association, Bromac UK (Distributors) Ltd., CK Supplies Ltd., Catering Industry Training Board (Northern Ireland), Confederation of British Industry (NI), Council on Alcohol Related Problems, Department of Health and Social Services, Department of the Environment, Derry and District Licensed Vintners Association, Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade Northern Ireland, General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, W. A. Gilbey (Ireland) Ltd., Health Promotion Unit, Hollywood and Donnelly Ltd., Irish Bonding Co. Ltd., Irish Distillers Group PLC, James McAllister and Son Ltd., James McCabe Ltd., McGarry and Campbell, Nicholas McKenna and Company, John McKibbin and Son Ltd., T. McLaughlin Ltd., McNeill Glassware (Lisburn) Ltd., Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Northern Ireland Chamber of Trade, Northern Ireland Council on Alcohol, Northern Ireland Hotels and Caterers Association, Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Northlands Centre, Tyrone Bar Supplies Ltd. and United Bar Supplies Ltd.
Five replies were received.
We now propose to introduce legislation for a single metric measure of 25 ml.
Kilroot Power Station
Mr. Beggs : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual cost of maintenance of the equipment stored at Kilroot power station, Carrickfergus, for use on the second phase of this development ; and what is the total cost of maintenance to date of this equipment.
Mr. Needham : The cost in 1989 of storing and maintaining this plant was £1.45 million, bringing the total cost since 1979 to £14.55 million.
Rail Sleeper Services
Mr. Roy Beggs : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representation he has made to BR about the London-Stranraer overnight sleeper service.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : I have told British Rail of the adverse reaction in Northern Ireland to the decision. I understand that British Rail plans to provide a connecting service between Stranraer and the Glasgow to London sleeper trains.
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Social Fund
Mr. Hume : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to indicate the record of each social security office's operation of the
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social fund in terms of the priority levels of cases in which they have awarded assistance indicating dates in which priority coverage has been changed.Mr. Needham [holding answer 2 March 1990] : The information is as follows :
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Loans Community care grants
Social Security Office All priority High and medium High priority All priority High and medium High priority
categories priority categories priority
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|From |To |From |To |From |To |From |To
Andersontown |11.4.88- |30.5.88 |1.6.88- |31.10.88 |1.11.88- |15.1.89 |11.4.88- |2.4.89 |18.5.89- |2.11.89 |13.4.89- |17.5.89
|16.1.89 |-12.4.89 |13.4.89- |17.5.8918.5.89- |14.9.89 |3.4.89- |12.4.89 |8.1.90 |18.2.90 |19.2.90-
|15.9.89 |-7.1.90 |8.1.90- |3.11.89- |7.1.90
Antrim |11.4.88 |- |19.6.88 |13.2.89 |- |16.4.89 |20.6.88- |12.2.89 |11.4.89- |8.5.89 |8.6.89- |16.7.89
Armagh |11.4.88- |2.4.89 |3.4.89- |30.7.89 |- |- |11.4.88- |- |- |- |-
|31.7.89-
Ballymena |- |- |11.4.88- |18.9.88 |19.9.89- |16.10.88 |- |- |11.4.88- |9.5.89 |10.5.89-
|17.10.88- |30.11.88 |1.12.88- |31.7.89 |1.6.89-
|1.8.89-
Ballymoney |11.4.88 |- |16.10.88 |17.10.88 |- |11.4.88 |- |- |- |-
Ballynahinch |11.4.88 |- |16.2.89 |17.2.89- |30.4.89 |1.5.89- |21.6.89 |11.4.88- |6.6.89 |7.6.89- |18.7.89 |19.7.89-
|22.6.89- |18.7.89 |19.7.89- |13.8.89 |14.9.89- |10.10.89 |11.10.89- |4.2.90
|14.8.89- |12.12.89 |13.12.89- |4.2.90 |5.2.90- |19.2.90 |20.2.90-
|5.2.90-
Banbridge |- |- |11.4.88- |17.8.88 |18.8.88- |18.10.88 |11.4.88- |17.8.88 |18.8.88- |3.9.89 |- |-
|19.10.88- |13.7.89 |14.7.89- |3.9.89 |4.9.89-
|4.9.89-
Bangor |11.4.88- |2.5.88 |13.5.88- |3.1.89 |3.5.88- |12.5.88 |11.4.88- |2.4.89 |3.4.89- |- |-
|4.1.89- |2.4.89 |3.4.89-
Carrickfergus |- |- |11.4.88- |21.5.89 |22.5.89- |31.7.89 |11.4.88- |17.12.89 |18.12.89- |- |-
|1.8.89-
Coleraine |- |- |11.4.88- |14.8.88 |15.8.88- |21.8.88 |- |- |11.4.88- |- |-
|22.8.88-
Cookstown |- |- |11.4.88- |14.8.88 |15.8.88- |22.11.88 |11.4.88- |8.1.89 |- |- |9.1.89-
|21.11.88- |21.5.89 |22.5.89-
Corporation Street |11.4.88- |21.7.88 |22.7.88- |22.1.89 |- |- |11.4.88- |2.4.89 |3.4.89- |- |-
|23.1.89- |2.4.89 |3.4.89-
Downpatrick |11.4.88- |26.6.88 |18.7.88- |27.6.88- |17.7.88 |11.4.88- |20.4.89 |21.4.89- |30.9.89 |- |-
|1.10.89-
Dungannon |11.4.88- |31.10.88 |1.11.88- |20.11.88 |21.11.88- |3.12.89 |11.4.88- |21.3.89 |22.3.89- |18.5.89 |19.5.89- |1.10.89
|4.12.89- |2.10.89-
Enniskillen |11.4.88- |2.4.89 |3.4.89- |20.8.89 |21.8.89- |11.4.88- |2.4.89 |3.4.89- |22.5.89 |- |-
|23.5.89- |19.6.89 |20.6.89-
Falls Road |- |- |11.4.88- |25.7.88 |26.7.88- |21.11.88- |1.5.89 |11.4.88- |20.11.88 |2.8.89-
|2.5.89- |1.8.89
Holywood Road |11.4.88- |8.6.88 |9.6.88- |14.6.88 |15.6.88- |29.9.88 |11.4.88- |22.12.88 |21.12.88- |16.5.89 |17.5.89-
|30.9.88- |31.7.89 |1.8.89-
Kilkeel |11.4.88- |18.1.89 |19.1.89- |25.4.89 |26.4.89- |28.4.89 |11.4.88- |18.1.89 |19.1.89- |25.7.89 |26.4.89- |28.4.89
|29.4.89- |1.10.89 |2.10.89- |29.4.89- |1.10.89 |2.10.89-
Knockbreda |- |- |11.4.88- |30.11.88 |1.12.88- |8.10.89 |11.4.88- |9.4.89 |10.4.89-
|9.10.89- |2.1.90 |3.1.90-
Larne |- |- |11.4.88- |18.10.89 |19.10.89- |4.1.90 |11.4.88- |- |- |- |-
|5.1.90-
Limavady |- |- |11.4.88- |13.8.89 |14.8.89- |- |- |11.4.88- |9.5.89 |10.5.89- |25.6.89
|26.6.89-
Lisburn |11.4.88- |- |- |- |- |11.4.88- |21.5.89 |- |- |22.5.89- |5.6.89
|6.6.89-
Londonderry |11.4.88- |11.4.88- |2.10.88 |3.10.88- |8.1.89 |2.5.89- |11.4.88- |13.3.89 |- |- |14.3.89-
|9.1.89- |1.5.89
Lurgan |11.4.88- |19.2.89 |20.2.89- |- |- |11.4.88- |2.4.89 |3.4.89- |- |-
Magherafelt |11.4.88- |13.11.88 |14.11.88- |- |- |11.4.88- |12.3.89 |13.3.89- |2.4.89 |3.4.89-
Newcastle |11.4.88- |9.10.88 |9.10.88- |2.4.89 |3.4.89- |5.9.89 |11.4.88- |5.9.89 |6.9.89- |12.1.90 |13.1.90-
|12.2.90- |6.9.89- |11.2.90
Newry |3.11.88- |5.3.89 |11.4.88- |2.11.88 |1.6.89- |13.6.89 |11.4.88- |31.5.89 |1.6.89- |31.1.90 |1.2.90-
|6.3.89- |31.5.89
|14.6.89-
Newtownabbey |- |- |11.4.88- |27.9.89 |28.9.89- |19.6.89- |11.4.88- |18.6.89 |- |-
Newtownards |11.4.88- |12.2.89 |14.8.89- |13.2.89- |13.8.89 |11.4.88- |12.2.89 |13.2.89- |9.1.90 |- |-
|8.1.90-
Omagh |11.4.88- |22.10.89 |23.10.89- |- |- |11.4.88- |- |- |- |-
Portadown |11.4.88- |25.10.88 |26.10.88- |19.6.89 |20.6.89- |- |- |11.4.88- |9.5.89 |10.5.89-
Shaftesbury Square |11.4.88- |5.7.88 |6.7.88- |- |- |11.4.88- |2.4.89 |3.4.89- |17.11.89 |18.11.89-
Shankill |11.4.88- |11.8.88 |24.3.89- |13.4.89 |12.8.88- |23.3.89 |11.4.88- |2.4.89 |3.4.89- |13.4.89 |14.4.89- |31.7.89
|13.10.89- |1.11.89 |2.11.89- |23.11.89 |14.4.89- |12.10.89 |13.10.89- |23.11.89 |1.8.89- |12.10.89 |23.2.90-
|24.11.89- |28.1.90 |29.1.90- |24.11.89- |22.2.90
Strabane |- |- |11.4.88- |9.4.89 |10.4.89- |7.5.89 |- |- |11.4.88- |9.4.89 |10.4.89-
|8.5.89- |22.10.89 |23.10.89- |30.11.89
|1.12.89-
Equal Opportunities
Mr. McNamara : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report "Caring for Children--Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom."
Mr. Cope [holding answer 5 March 1990] : The report was prepared by the European Community but no proposals have yet been developed. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter for member states. The United Kingdom policy is that it is for families themselves to determine how their children are to be brought up and how parents who wish to do so can best combine paid work and family responsibilities. The Government through the Department of Health and Social Services and the ministerial group on women's issues have encouraged the development of a range of high quality child care options for both parents and employers in Northern Ireland.
Social Security
Mr. Meacher : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 1 February, Official Report, columns 342-43, and the letter of 12 February, concerning the real terms increase in social security expenditure, what information on the percentage of the real terms increase attributable to an increase in the number of beneficiaries is available to him without incurring disproportionate cost.
Mr. Needham [holding answer 5 March 1990] : The estimated average numbers of claimants receiving the main social security benefits during the years in question rose or are expected to rise as follows :
Column 864
|per cent.
------------------------------
1978-79 |0.9
1979-80 |-1.7
1980-81 |4.8
1981-82 |4.3
1982-83 |2.1
1983-84 |7.6
1984-85 |2.6
1985-86 |-0.2
1986-87 |1.7
1987-88 |1.8
1988-89 |-3.4
1989-90 |1.9
1990-91 |1.8
1991-92 |1.5
1992-93 |1.5
Cancer
Mr. Beggs : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish statistical information, in table form, of confirmed incidences of cancer/leukaemia in each constituency in Northern Ireland by age group (a) up to five years, (b) five to 10 years, (c) 10 to 15 years, (d) 15 to 20 years and (e) over 20 years, respectively.
Mr. Needham [holding answer 5 March 1990] : The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is given in the table :
Notification of leukaemia for Northern Ireland 1988 0-4 |5-14 |15-24 |Over 24 ---------------------------------------- 8 |6 |10 |90 Notes: 1. 1988 is the latest year for which information is available. 2. The information given includes all types of leukaemia. Source: Northern Ireland cancer registration scheme
Mr. Beggs : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action is being taken to identify the cause of cancer/leukaemia in children in Northern Ireland and to protect children where possible from risk of exposure to cancer/leukaemia stimulating factors.
Column 865
Mr. Needham [holding answer 5 March 1990] : An investigation by an independent committee into patterns of disease with a possible association with radiation was published in 1989. It found no evidence of higher incidence or increased mortality from leukaemia in coastal compared with inland areas.Northern Ireland is now involved with other parts of the United Kingdom in epidemiological research on leukaemia. Environmental assessment of ionising radiation is carried out to ensure that the community is not exposed to excess levels.
Mr. Beggs : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the incidence of cancer/leukaemia confirmed in children in (a) East Antrim, (b) Northern Ireland and (c) United Kingdom, respectively.
Mr. Needham [holding answer 5 March 1990] : The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is given in the table :
Notification of leukaemia for
Children (0-14 years) in
Northern
Ireland and the United Kingdom
1984
|Numbers
---------------------------------
Northern Ireland |16
United Kingdom |414
Notes:
1. 1984 is the latest year for
which it is possible to produce
a United Kingdom figure.
2. The information given
includes all types of leukaemia.
Sources: Northern Ireland cancer
registration scheme, Scottish
Home and Health Department,
Office of Population Censuses
and Surveys.
Waiting Lists
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table to show the current length of waiting lists at each acute hospital in Northern Ireland ; and what were the comparable figures in each of the last five years.
Mr. Needham [holding answer 27 February 1990] : The tables show for each acute hospital in Northern Ireland the total number of inpatients on waiting lists at 30 September and by time spent on list for 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989.
Information on outpatient waiting lists has not been collected centrally since the introduction of Korner returns on 1 April 1988. Information relating to outpatient lists for earlier years could be extracted only at disproportionate cost.
Column 865
Eastern health and social services board
Total in-patient waiting list by hospital and time waiting
September 1984-September 1989
Hospital |1984 |1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 |1989
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ards
0-2 months |258 |253 |244 |195 |205 |150
3-5 months |68 |73 |103 |58 |58 |70
6-12 months |47 |20 |89 |8 |31 |47
12-23 months |16 |10 |92 |15 |6 |8
+24 months |- |- |48 |11 |8 |2
Total |389 |356 |576 |287 |308 |277
Bangor
0-2 months |385 |412 |326 |226 |124 |153
3-5 months |- |- |- |- |55 |67
6-12 months |- |- |- |- |30 |21
12-23 months |- |- |- |- |17 |14
+24 months |- |- |- |- |10 |11
Total |385 |412 |326 |226 |236 |266
Belfast City
0-2 months |732 |940 |1,445 |1,156 |969 |1,045
3-5 months |275 |311 |799 |601 |790 |623
6-12 months |233 |233 |722 |658 |744 |672
12-23 months |201 |125 |245 |496 |506 |593
+24 months |267 |218 |245 |401 |588 |785
Total |1,708 |1,827 |3,456 |3,312 |3,597 |3,718
Belvoir Pk-NIRC
0-2 months |85 |77 |97 |82 |- |64
3-5 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
6-12 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
12-23 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |85 |77 |97 |82 |0 |64
Claremont St
0-2 months |2 |- |- |C |- |-
3-5 months |- |- |- |L |- |-
6-12 months |- |- |- |O |- |-
12-23 months |- |- |- |S |- |-
+24 months |- |- |- |E |- |-
Total |2 |- |- |D |- |-
Crawsfordburn
0-2 months |21 |18 |8 |12 |- |3
3-5 months |9 |11 |6 |7 |6 |6
6-12 months |29 |19 |22 |4 |7 |3
12-23 months |16 |8 |25 |3 |- |2
+24 months |11 |7 |19 |6 |- |-
Total |86 |63 |80 |32 |13 |14
Downe
0-2 months |156 |130 |3 |28 |56 |37
3-5 months |49 |62 |- |- |3 |2
6-12 months |45 |63 |- |- |- |-
12-23 months |35 |42 |- |- |- |-
+24 months |11 |23 |- |- |- |-
Total |296 |320 |3 |38 |59 |39
Lagan Valley
0-2 months |166 |178 |97 |130 |72 |154
3-5 months |16 |59 |55 |70 |17 |47
6-12 months |2 |17 |8 |7 |7 |10
12-23 months |8 |- |2 |1 |- |-
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |192 |254 |162 |208 |96 |211
Mater
0-2 months |459 |180 |88 |54 |30 |44
3-5 months |- |- |- |- |16 |12
6-12 months |- |- |- |- |1 |3
12-23 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |459 |180 |88 |54 |47 |59
Musgrave Park
0-2 months |816 |834 |657 |792 |581 |399
3-5 months |595 |555 |520 |532 |943 |462
6-12 months |866 |695 |622 |758 |1,102 |747
12-23 months |964 |730 |750 |663 |823 |830
+24 months |1,985 |1,135 |794 |745 |545 |490
Total |5,226 |3,949 |3,343 |3,490 |3,994 |2,928
R.B.H.S.C.
0-2 months |137 |237 |295 |217 |221 |177
3-5 months |132 |135 |213 |262 |156 |82
6-12 months |134 |126 |159 |198 |295 |90
12-23 months |87 |74 |139 |164 |102 |86
+24 months |60 |82 |23 |71 |92 |149
Total |550 |654 |829 |912 |866 |584
R.V.H.
0-2 months |1,294 |1,224 |1,875 |1,495 |2,000 |2,060
3-5 months |749 |736 |1,128 |944 |1,156 |1,087
6-12 months |925 |915 |1,023 |1,236 |1,360 |1,310
12-23 months |997 |920 |1,126 |1,279 |1,474 |1,351
+24 months |1,161 |1,377 |1,666 |1,713 |1,808 |2,015
Total |5,126 |5,172 |6,837 |6,667 |7,798 |7,823
Samaritan
0-2 months |136 |119 |- |<1> |- |-
3-5 months |9 |9 |- |<1> |- |-
6-12 months |8 |5 |- |<1> |- |-
12-23 months |5 |8 |- |<1> |- |-
+24 months |- |1 |- |<1> |- |-
Total |158 |142 |- |<1> |- |-
Templemore Avenue
0-2 months |1 |1 |- |<1> |- |-
3-5 months |- |- |- |<1> |- |-
6-12 months |- |- |- |<1> |- |-
12-23 months |- |- |- |<1> |- |-
+24 months |1 |- |- |<1> |- |-
Total |2 |1 |- |<1> |- |-
Ulster
0-2 months |614 |688 |883 |714 |639 |511
3-5 months |268 |295 |380 |395 |260 |374
6-12 months |261 |298 |458 |461 |499 |359
12-23 months |460 |402 |435 |590 |534 |457
+24 months |421 |582 |740 |769 |865 |806
Total |2,024 |2,265 |2,896 |2,929 |2,797 |2,507
Shaftesbury Square
0-2 months |- |- |- |- |4 |-
3-5 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
6-12 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
12-23 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |0 |0 |0 |0 |4 |0
<1> Closed.
Northern health and social services board
Total in-patient waiting list by hospital and time waiting
September 1984-September 1989
Hospital |1984 |1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 |1989
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Braid valley
0-2 months |31 |18 |23 |13 |9 |3
3-5 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
6-12 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
12-23 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |31 |18 |23 |13 |9 |3
Coleraine
0-2 months |52 |76 |64 |55 |62 |93
3-5 months |86 |54 |29 |45 |22 |73
6-12 months |131 |87 |48 |45 |28 |9
12-23 months |85 |81 |58 |60 |39 |1
+24 months |14 |25 |5 |10 |6 |-
Total |368 |323 |204 |215 |157 |176
Dalriada
0-2 months |2 |5 |2 |3 |9 |-
3-5 months |7 |2 |11 |3 |5 |-
6-12 months |9 |4 |13 |2 |2 |-
12-23 months |9 |9 |7 |15 |2 |-
+24 months |1 |1 |1 |- |2 |-
Total |28 |21 |34 |23 |20 |0
Greenisland
0-2 months |25 |11 |21 |19 |12 |6
3-5 months |9 |4 |13 |5 |6 |1
6-12 months |14 |1 |7 |6 |7 |-
12-23 months |- |- |- |1 |- |-
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |48 |16 |41 |31 |25 |7
Massereene
0-2 months |40 |58 |16 |62 |9 |17
3-5 months |2 |- |- |11 |- |29
6-12 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
12-23 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |42 |58 |16 |73 |9 |46
Mid-Ulster
0-2 months |15 |10 |18 |15 |54 |71
3-5 months |12 |18 |6 |4 |5 |25
6-12 months |21 |10 |9 |18 |- |4
12-23 months |35 |28 |15 |10 |- |-
+24 months |71 |14 |25 |45 |- |-
Total |154 |80 |73 |92 |59 |100
Moyle
0-2 months |172 |191 |144 |137 |149 |176
3-5 months |13 |6 |46 |25 |37 |83
6-12 months |- |9 |- |- |16 |54
12-23 months |- |- |- |- |- |31
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |185 |206 |190 |162 |202 |344
Route
0-2 months |132 |128 |180 |154 |132 |110
3-5 months |24 |28 |17 |48 |2 |18
6-12 months |25 |36 |17 |17 |14 |-
12-23 months |35 |16 |27 |17 |7 |-
+24 months |1 |1 |2 |2 |- |-
Total |217 |209 |243 |238 |155 |128
Waveney
0-2 months |451 |303 |431 |425 |453 |381
3-5 months |110 |139 |195 |120 |146 |183
6-12 months |57 |157 |250 |208 |175 |236
12-23 months |62 |55 |117 |138 |212 |181
+24 months |3 |19 |25 |82 |106 |115
Total |683 |673 |1,018 |973 |1,092 |1,096
Whiteabbey
0-2 months |150 |151 |192 |148 |215 |244
3-5 months |16 |17 |12 |20 |28 |23
6-12 months |14 |- |- |- |- |4
12-23 months |4 |- |- |- |- |-
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |184 |168 |204 |168 |243 |271
Southern health and social services board
Total in-patient waiting list by hospital and time waiting
September 1984-September 1989
Hospital |1984 |1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 |1989
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Banbridge
0-2 months |52 |60 |52 |78 |97 |49
3-5 months |- |- |- |- |56 |10
6-12 months |- |- |- |- |35 |4
12-23 months |- |- |- |- |- |2
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |52 |60 |52 |78 |188 |65
Craigavon area
0-2 months |377 |464 |522 |476 |479 |462
3-5 months |91 |110 |126 |78 |86 |138
6-12 months |94 |114 |106 |67 |68 |81
12-23 months |86 |67 |49 |19 |35 |32
+24 months |52 |22 |3 |- |- |10
Total |700 |777 |806 |640 |668 |723
Daisy Hill
0-2 months |123 |105 |182 |137 |127 |262
3-5 months |1 |- |3 |- |- |-
6-12 months |5 |- |- |- |- |-
12-23 months |7 |- |- |- |- |-
+24 months |- |- |- |- |- |-
Total |136 |105 |185 |137 |127 |262
Lurgan
0-2 months |44 |28 |38 |48 |27 |6
3-5 months |15 |13 |5 |16 |14 |1
6-12 months |23 |16 |10 |12 |6 |-
12-23 months |10 |12 |4 |7 |1 |-
+24 months |17 |19 |10 |12 |4 |-
Total |109 |88 |67 |95 |52 |7
South Tyrone
0-2 months |208 |194 |185 |470 |335 |220
3-5 months |111 |95 |32 |154 |261 |123
6-12 months |122 |81 |75 |78 |345 |91
12-23 months |119 |107 |23 |8 |107 |66
+24 months |51 |35 |- |- |1 |32
Total |611 |512 |315 |710 |1,049 |532
Western health and social services board
Total in-patient waiting list by hospital and time waiting
September 1984-September 1989
Hospital |1984 |1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 |1989
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Altnagelvin
0-2 months |501 |538 |651 |619 |859 |854
3-5 months |198 |291 |288 |320 |432 |446
6-12 months |175 |241 |350 |384 |538 |439
12-23 months |97 |66 |163 |358 |401 |505
+24 months |- |- |8 |375 |506 |670
Total |971 |1,136 |1,460 |2,056 |2,736 |2,914
Erne
0-2 months |109 |106 |160 |97 |109 |126
3-5 months |43 |38 |30 |41 |24 |2
6-12 months |87 |100 |44 |47 |39 |-
12-23 months |37 |95 |63 |37 |36 |-
+24 months |4 |29 |33 |10 |- |-
Total |280 |368 |330 |232 |208 |128
Roe Valley
0-2 months |96 |93 |37 |29 |27 |-
3-5 months |85 |67 |10 |29 |10 |-
6-12 months |127 |76 |93 |17 |19 |-
12-23 months |140 |290 |172 |28 |30 |-
+24 months |- |- |240 |83 |91 |-
Total |448 |526 |552 |186 |177 |0
St. Columb's
0-2 months |- |195 |135 |194 |C |C
3-5 months |- |11 |62 |100 |L |L
6-12 months |- |- |73 |95 |O |O
12-23 months |- |- |- |9 |S |S
+24 months |- |- |- |- |E |E
Total |0 |206 |270 |398 |D |D
Tyrone County
0-2 months |414 |370 |387 |522 |318 |374
3-5 months |162 |172 |165 |148 |88 |139
6-12 months |266 |242 |168 |123 |75 |82
12-23 months |240 |302 |258 |73 |7 |-
+24 months |115 |115 |109 |8 |3 |-
Total |1,197 |1,201 |1,087 |874 |491 |595
European Community Regional Fund
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table to show the sums given to Northern Ireland by the European Economic Community regional fund in each calendar or financial year since the United Kingdom became a recipient of fund moneys ; and what percentage of total Government expenditure this represented in Northern Ireland in each calendar or financial year.
Mr. Cope [holding answer 27 February 1990] : The European regional development fund was established after the United Kingdom's accession to the Community and the first grants were received in 1975-76. Figures for Northern Ireland's receipts, and the percentage they represented of public expenditure in the Northern Ireland block are as follows :
European regional development fund
receipts and proportion of
Northern Ireland block
Financial |Total
year |£ million|per cent.
----------------------------------------
1975-76 |2.9 |0.2
1976-77 |7.2 |0.4
1977-78 |6.4 |0.4
1978-79 |4.0 |0.2
1979-80 |16.0 |0.6
1980-81 |21.0 |0.7
1981-82 |16.4 |0.5
1982-83 |18.0 |0.5
1983-84 |13.5 |0.4
1984-85 |16.9 |0.4
1985-86 |18.4 |0.4
1986-87 |23.2 |0.5
1987-88 |45.9 |1.0
1988-89 |46.7 |0.9
|------- |-------
Total |<1>256.5 |0.6
<1> The figures show total European
regional development fund receipts
brought to account in Northern Ireland.
It should be noted that awards
totalling £10.5 million were
decommitted by the European Commission
on failed industrial projects.
Column 874
Western Health and Social Services Board
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the reason for the Western health and social services board recently requesting each employee to specify which primary school they had attended ; what was the percentage response to the first request ; and how many requests were necessary before all employees had answered the question to the satisfaction of management.
Mr. Needham [holding answer 27 February 1990] : The Western health and social services board requested its employees to specify the primary schools that they attended for the purpose of monitoring the religious composition of its work force.
Forty-five per cent. of staff (excluding home helps) responded to the first request ; a further 35 per cent. responded to two subsequent requests and a search of personnel files was carried out on the remaining 20 per cent. Fifty two per cent. of home helps responded to the first request and a search of personnel files was carried out on the remaining 48 per cent.
Security Forces (Shooting)
Mr. McNamara : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what circumstances the security forces in Northern Ireland are entitled to shoot on sight.
Mr. Cope [holding answer 12 February 1990] : The law provides, under section 3(1) of the Criminal Law (Northern Ireland) Act 1967, that any person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders. Members of the police and Army are subject to the law in the same way as other citizens. It is ultimately a matter for the courts to decide in individual cases that come before them what is "reasonable" in the particular circumstances of that case.
Column 875
SOCIAL SECURITY
Disability Allowances
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about procedures for medically examining claimants for mobility allowance, attendance allowance and severe disablement allowance ; whether claimants are required to accept examination by a doctor nominated by his Department ; and what consideration has been given to allowing the claimant to nominate a doctor or to use his own doctor for such purposes.
Mr. Scott : Mobility allowance and attendance allowance claimants may refuse examination by a doctor nominated by the Department if they so wish. Medical evidence is then obtained, with the claimant's permission, from the general practitioner or from a hospital, where relevant. However, reports from the doctors trained by the Department tend to be more thorough and are more likely to provide the type of information required to decide the claim. No claim can be decided in the absence of medical evidence. In SDA cases there are some instances in which no medical examination is required if there is already sufficient medical evidence for a favourable decision to be made. Usually the claimant is required to attend examination by an adjudicating medical authority consisting of one or two doctors. This is a statutory authority and only doctors who have been formally appointed by the Secretary of State may serve on it. To maintain impartiality a doctor may not serve as an adjudicating medical authority or a member of such an authority considering any case if he has regularly attended the claimant or has provided a report. For these reasons, the claimant may not nominate a doctor or use his own doctor for the purpose, even if the doctor is on the panel of a medical boarding centre.
The information provided applies to Great Britain, although a similar scheme operates in Northern Ireland. Requests for information concerning the Northern Ireland scheme should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is issued by his Department as to notice given to claimants that they are to be examined by a doctor in connection with claims for social security benefits ; and what procedures are adopted for appointing the examining doctor in each area.
Mr. Scott : Claimants for attendance allowance and mobility allowance are contacted by the doctor who will be conducting the examination in order to arrange a time. Guidance both verbally and in guidance notes is provided that the doctor should contact the claimant, preferably in writing, giving the claimant seven days' notice where possible of the proposed date and time. In severe disablement allowance cases lay staff provide 10 days' notice of examination.
Examining medical practitioners are appointed by the senior medical officer of the region. They are usually recruited from among general practitioners within the locality who already have expertise in conducting medical examinations. They are given guidance by the senior medical officer or a regional office medical officer on the backgrounds of, and conditions for the awards for
Column 876
attendance allowance and mobility allowance. The performance of the examining medical practitioners is closely monitored by the senior medical officer to identify any further need for guidance for training. The form such monitoring takes is a matter for the senior medical officer.The information provided applies to Great Britain, although a similar scheme operates in Northern Ireland. Requests for information concerning the Northern Ireland scheme should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what tests and criteria are used by physicians when assessing entitlement to (a) mobility allowance, (b) attendance allowance and (c) severe disablement allowance ; and what consideration is given to factors affecting people with AIDS who may not be experiencing obvious symptoms.
Mr. Scott : In attendance allowance the doctors who examine claimants and conduct clinical tests are not the same as the doctors who assess entitlement. The tests carried out by examining doctors are those that they consider necessary in order to complete the examining forms. This also applies in severe disablement allowance although claimants for this benefit are both examined and assessed by an adjudicating medical authority consisting of one or two doctors. The criteria used by doctors assessing entitlement are set out in the appropriate handbooks. These are the handbooks for delegated medical practitioners and the severe disablement allowance handbook for adjudicating medical authorities. The handbooks are available in the Library.
For mobility allowance, the clinical tests are conducted by doctors but the assessment of entitlement is carried out by adjudication officers who may seek the advice of full-time medical officers when necessary.
People with AIDS are treated as all other members of the community in deciding their entitlement to these benefits. The only special treatment within the social security system for people with AIDS is the provision for any payments made to haemophiliacs who are infected with AIDS virus or to their families out of the Macfarlane Trust or the Macfarlane (Special Payments) Trust to be completely disregarded for the purposes of the income -related benefits.
The information provided applies to Great Britain, although a similar scheme operates in Northern Ireland. Requests for information concerning the Northern Ireland scheme should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Residential Homes
Mr. Blair : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what was the total amount paid in (a) supplementary benefit in 1980 and (b) income support in 1989 to the residents of private residential care homes, by local authority area and by region ; (2) what was the total amount paid in (a) supplementary benefit in 1980 and (b) income support in 1989 to the residents of private nursing homes, by district health authority area and by region.
Mr. Scott : Information in the form requested is not available.
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