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Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : The United Kingdom system controls the overall profit that companies make from the sales of all relevant products to the NHS ; it does not approve the price of individual medicines.
The United Kingdom price of Zimovane is £27.44 for 28 tablets. We do not hold price details for European countries generally.
Hospitals
Mr. Macfarlane : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of hospitals in England and Wales where patients and staff have been the victims of violence within the past two years ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Dorrell : This information is not held centrally. Appropriate security arrangements for the protection of both patients and staff are the responsibility of, and can best be determined by, health authorities in the light of their knowledge of their premises and the degree of access necessary for patients and visitors. We are making £20,000 available to update the National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts' security manual which is the key reference document in this area.
Mortality Rates (London)
Ms. Harman : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a table showing (a) the perinatal, (b) infant and (c) overall mortality rates by social class in the London regional health authorities in 1970, 1980 and the latest date available.
Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 12 November 1990] : The exact information requested is not available. The available information is shown in the tables.
Column 183
Perinatal and infant mortality by social class (as
defined by
occupation) 1980
(Births within marriage only)
Perinatal deaths per 1000 total births.
Infant deaths per 1000 live births.
Social Class |Perinatal |Infant
|deaths |deaths
----------------------------------------------------
North West Thames Regional
Health Authority
All |10.4 |10.4
I-V |10.4 |10.2
I |8.7 |7.0
II |9.1 |9.5
III |11.3 |10.6
IV |10.7 |11.8
V |12.8 |15.5
North East Thames Regional
Health Authority
All |13.1 |11.1
I-V |13.0 |10.7
I |10.5 |8.3
II |13.4 |10.7
III |12.2 |9.2
IV |14.3 |13.4
V |19.2 |21.4
South East Thames Regional
Health Authority
All |12.0 |11.5
I-V |11.9 |11.2
I |4.6 |5.4
II |10.9 |10.0
III |12.2 |11.1
IV |15.7 |15.6
V |14.8 |15.4
South West Thames Regional
Health Authority
All |10.5 |10.4
I-V |10.1 |10.0
I |7.1 |7.3
II |9.5 |9.8
III |10.5 |9.4
IV |14.3 |15.4
V |9.7 |14.6
Column 184
Perinatal and infant deaths by social class (as
defined by
occupation) 1988 (births within marriage only)
Perinatal deaths by 1,000 total births
Infant deaths by 1,000 live births
Social class |Perinatal |Infant
|deaths |deaths
|rate per |rate per
|1,000 total |1,000 live
|births |births
----------------------------------------------------
A11 |7.5 |7.3
I-V |7.4 |7.2
I |7.2 |6.8
II |4.9 |5.3
IIIN |8.3 |7.3
IIIM |8.3 |8.7
IV |10.8 |9.3
V |<1>11.8 |<1>5.4
A11 |8.7 |7.2
I-V |8.5 |6.9
I |7.9 |7.0
II |8.3 |6.1
IIIN |7.4 |6.4
IIIM |8.4 |6.5
IV |10.5 |8.8
V |<1>9.6 |<1>11.0
A11 |8.1 |7.9
I-V |8.1 |7.8
I |10.1 |6.5
II |5.8 |6.4
IIIN |8.4 |7.7
IIIM |8.8 |7.8
IV |10.5 |11.2
V |<1>8.7 |<1>12.4
A11 |7.3 |8.0
I-V |7.1 |7.8
I |<1>4.0 |7.6
II |7.0 |6.0
IIIN |6.7 |6.7
IIIM |7.8 |8.4
IV |10.5 |12.2
V |<1>8.4 |<1>14.5
<1> Indicates rates calculated from less than 20
deaths to warn the user that their reliability as a
measure may be affected by the small number of
events.
Column 183
Æ
Deaths by social class (as defined by occupation) 1971
Rates per 1,000 population for males aged 15-64
Social class
Metropolitan Regional |Total |I |II |IIIN |IIIM |IV |V
Hospital Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North West |5.3 |3.9 |4.8 |5.4 |5.7 |7.4 |9.1
North East |5.5 |3.6 |4.9 |5.2 |5.6 |7.1 |8.5
South East |5.7 |4.0 |5.4 |5.7 |5.7 |7.9 |8.9
South West |5.5 |4.1 |4.9 |5.6 |5.9 |7.8 |9.8
Deaths by social class (as defined by occupation) 1981
Rates per 1,000 population for males aged 16-64
Social class
Regional Health Authority |Total |I |II |IIIN |IIIM |IV |V
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North West Thames |4.5 |3.0 |3.7 |4.2 |5.1 |6.1 |8.3
North East Thames |4.7 |2.9 |3.7 |4.3 |5.3 |6.5 |8.7
South East Thames |4.8 |3.2 |4.2 |4.5 |5.1 |6.4 |8.2
South West Thames |4.2 |3.0 |3.8 |4.4 |4.7 |6.0 |7.1
Deaths by social class (as defined by occupation) 1981 Rates per 1, 000 population for males aged 16-64 Social class
Regional Health Authority Total I II IIIN IIIM IV V
North West Thames 4.5 3.0 3.7 4.2 5.1 6.1 8.3
North East Thames 4.7 2.9 3.7 4.3 5.3 6.5 8.7
South East Thames 4.8 3.2 4.2 4.5 5.1 6.4 8.2
South West Thames 4.2 3.0 3.8 4.4 4.7 6.0 7.1
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DEFENCE
The Gulf
Mr. Clay : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service men who have not attained the age of 18 years have been posted to the Gulf.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : Numbers of service personnel under the age of 18 currently in the Gulf are as follows :
|Number
---------------------------------------
Royal Navy/Royal Marines |37
Army |<1>18
Royal Air Force |2
<1> Total figure according to returns
received to date from units serving in
the Gulf.
Absenteeism
Mr. O'Neill : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel went absent without leave for each year since 1986, giving categories showing the approximate lengths of time for which people have been absent, the number of absentees below the ages of 21 and 18 years, and the varying levels of absenteeism in different commands and trades.
Mr. Archie Hamilton [holding answer 22 November 1990] : The information which is held centrally for each of the three services is as follows :
Royal Navy
Approximate length |1987 |1988 |1989
of absence
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under 1 month |52 |58 |66
1 to 3 months |4 |13 |7
3 to 6 months |2 |3 |7
6 to 12 months |2 |5 |5
1 to 2 years |- |- |3
2 years+ |2 |- |-
|- |- |-
Total |62 |79 |88
Absentees Under 18 |30 |24 |39
Absentees Under 21 |2 |10 |7
Note: Records of absentees by Command or trade are not held.
\~Army
Approximate length of absence |1987 |1988 |1989
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 weeks to 3 months |251 |239 |284
3 to 6 months |87 |129 |157
6 to 12 months |57 |86 |164
1 to 2 years |48 |66 |140
2 years+ |65 |51 |-
|------- |------- |-------
Total |508 |571 |745
Absentees Under 18 |26 |39 |38
Absentees Under 21 |262 |313 |450
\\Record of absentees by Command
Last recorded theatre |1987 |1988 |1989
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BAOR |161 |214 |241
Cyprus |5 |7 |3
Gibraltar |2 |1 |5
Hong Kong |- |2 |1
Others
8 |12
United Kingdom |327 |339 |483
|------- |------- |-------
Total |508 |571 |745
Note: All figures exclude those who went absent in previous years.
A breakdown of total absentees by career employment qualification
is as follows
|1987 |1988 |1989
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Army Air Corps Soldier (Clerk) |- |- |1
Army Air Corps Soldier |3 |- |1
Air Survey Technician |- |- |1
Ammunition Technician |- |1 |-
Amphibious Engineer |- |- |5
Armoured Engineer |- |1 |-
Armourer |- |- |1
Bandsman |1 |1 |-
Bricklayer and Construction |- |2 |-
Combat Engineer |4 |10 |7
Combat Lineman |1 |1 |-
Combat Medical Technician |5 |2 |5
Combat Signalman Royal Engineers |- |1
|Combat Signalman|- |2
Chef |4 |5 |6
Clerk |3 |3 |4
Clerk Royal Electrical and Mechanical
Engineers |1 |- |-
Command Post Assistant (Field) |- |3 |-
Command Post Assistant (Surface to
Air Missiles) |1 |- |-
Design Draftsman |1 |- |-
Drone Operator |- |- |3
Driver |19 |14 |30
Driver Electrician |2 |1 |2
Driver Lineman |- |2 |2
Driver Radio Operator |- |1 |2
Driver Royal Engineers |2 |- |2
Driver Royal Army Ordnance Corps |1 |- |-
Driver Tank Transporter |- |- |1
Electrician Royal Engineers |1 |- |-
Fitter Royal Engineers |- |- |4
Gunner Driver Royal Engineers |10 |9 |16
Gunner Field Guns |21 |23 |32
Gunner Surface to Air Missile Lights |- |4 |1
Gunner Surface to Air Missile
(Shoulder Launch) |3 |1 |2
Gunner Surface to Surface Missile |1 |- |-
Infantry Soldier |233 |243 |384
Military Accountant |3 |1 |3
Mounted Gunner |1 |- |-
Military Police (General Police Duties) |- |- |2
Metalsmith |1 |- |1
Operator Artillery Intelligence |- |1 |-
Petroleum Operative |2 |- |-
Pioneer Royal Pioneer Corps |13 |10 |6
Plant Operator Mechanic |- |1 |2
Plumber Pipe |- |2 |-
Painter and Decorator |2 |- |-
Postal Courier Operator |- |- |2
Physical Training Instructor |- |1 |-
Radio Operator |2 |2 |2
Royal Armoured Corps Soldier |6 |5 |4
Radio Operator Field |- |1 |-
Radio Relay Operator |1 |3 |3
Radio Relay Technician |- |1 |-
Signaller Royal Artillery |5 |3 |9
Staff Clerk |1 |- |-
Storeman Royal Electrical and
Mechanical Engineers |- |3 |-
Storeman Technical |- |2 |-
Stores Accountant |1 |1 |-
Supply Controller |1 |3 |3
Supply Specialist |9 |3 |5
Technician Aircraft |1 |- |-
Technician Instrument |- |- |1
Technician Radar (Rapier) |- |- |2
Telecommunications Operator (Data) |1 |2 |1
Telecommunications Operator
(Linguist) |- |1 |-
Telecommunications Operator (Radio) |- |- |1
Telecommunications Operator
(Telegraph) |2 |4 |3
UNALLOCATED |132 |184 |175
Vehicle Electrician |- |1 |1
Vehicle Specialist |1 |- |-
Vehicle Mechanic A Vehicles |- |1 |1
Vehicle Mechanic B Vehicles |6 |5 |5
Note: Absentees listed as unallocated are those without a specialist trade and thus not allocated to a
career employment qualification group or for whom the career employment qualification is not recorded
centrally.
RAF
Approximate length of absence
|1987|1988|1989
-----------------------------------
Under 1 month |232 |161 |205
1 to 3 months |8 |11 |7
3 to 6 months |4 |1 |1
6 to 12 months |1 |- |1
1 year plus |14 |2 |2
|--- |--- |---
Total |259 |175 |216
Note: Figures include those who
returned from previous years but
exclude those still absent.
Absentees
|1987|1988|1989
-----------------------------
Under 18 |6 |1 |5
Under 21 |88 |46 |84
Record of absentees by Command
Last recorded Command |1987 |1988 |1989
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Germany |10 |8 |9
HQ Strike Command |151 |110 |141
HQ RAF Support Command |50 |37 |42
Others |16 |9 |11
Non effective<1> |38 |12 |4
|--- |--- |---
Total |265 |176 |207
<1> Non effective personnel are those absent for more than 28 days.
Note: Figures include those who went absent and are still absent.
A breakdown of RAF absentees by trade group is as
follows
|1987|1988|1989
-----------------------------------------------------
Trade Group
1. Aircraft engineering |50 |20 |3
2. Air Electronic Engineering |8 |5 |4
3. Ground Electronic Engineering |9 |11 |7
4. Obsolete |- |- |-
5. General Engineering |8 |10 |6
6. Mechanical transport |24 |13 |17
7. Marine craft (now obsolete) |7 |- |-
8. Security |30 |30 |31
9. Air Traffic Control |8 |6 |5
10. General Service |18 |8 |9
11. Telecommunications |13 |11 |13
12. Aerospace Systems Operating |5 |7 |6
13. Safety and Surface |8 |12 |8
14. Photography |9 |- |2
15. Medical |2 |1 |-
16. Dental |1 |0 |0
17. Accounting and Secretarial |10 |9 |9
18. Supply and Movements |24 |24 |29
19. Catering |27 |8 |26
54. Apprentices |- |- |3
Others |11 |- |-
Departmental Appointees
Mr. Fisher : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of fees and reimbursements to people appointed to (a) public, (b) non-governmental and (c) other bodies by his Department.
Column 188
Mr. Kenneth Carlisle [holding answer 5 December 1990] : The non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Ministry of Defence are listed in the booklet "Public Bodies". This gives information on overall expenditure and the level of fees paid.
In addition, the Ministry of Defence appoints annually a number of individuals on secondment to public, non-governmental and other bodies. The number of individuals seconded at the end of 1989 was as follows :
Public bodies--21
Non-governmental bodies--172
Others (Industry and Commerce)--173
The financial arrangements are agreed on an individual basis and further details could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Foreign Affairs Council
Mr. John Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council on 4 December.
Mr. Hurd : A meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council took place in Brussels on 4 December. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and I represented the United Kingdom. There was a useful discussion of preparations for the intergovernmental conference on political union. The Council confirmed that the IGC would set its own agenda, and agreed that the European Council should consider the full range of options which had emerged during the preparatory discussions. The Council had an informal discussion on the financial situation of eastern European countries and the food situation in the Soviet Union. The Commission will put detailed proposals to the European Council. The Council adopted the package of transitional measures integrating the former GDR into the EC.
Ministers discussed the situation in the Gulf and reaffirmed their support for the relevant Security Council resolutions and their condemnation of the Iraqi treatment of hostages. They sent a message of support to President Menem of Argentina after the recent attempted rebellion by certain elements of the army. In a discussion of immigration issues, my hon. Friend underlined the importance for the United Kingdom, as an island, of maintaining essential checks at our ports and airports. Member states noted the need for a co-ordinated approach to this large, and growing, problem. There was a short, but inconclusive discussion on the budget for the expanded MEDIA programme.
The Commission gave a progress report on its efforts to identify new EC aid projects for the occupied territories. On behalf of the Council, the presidency had a meeting with the President of the European Parliament to discuss amendments proposed by the European Parliament to the EC regulation providing financial assistance to Jordan, Egypt and Turkey.
Gibraltar
Mr. Barry Porter : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Gibraltar.
Column 189
Mr. Garel-Jones : The treaty of Utrecht established British title to Gibraltar and it remains under British sovereignty. The same treaty also gave Spain the right of "first refusal" if Gibraltar ceased to be British. None of this is or has been in dispute between the United Kingdom and Spain.Britain's commitment to the people of Gibraltar, enshrined in the 1969 constitution, is well known. This Government will not enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. The 1969 constitution also sets out the division of powers between the elected Government of Gibraltar and the British Government. It bestows an appropriate level of self-government for domestic matters while preserving British sovereignty and reserving necessary powers to Britain. As regards Gibraltar airport, the British Government have frequently emphasised that development could not proceed against the wishes of the Gibraltar Government and people.
The British Government are fully committed to the negotiating process with Spain (the Brussels process) aimed at overcoming all the differences between the British and Spanish Governments over Gibraltar. It covers the question of sovereignty, as well as mutually beneficial co-operation. Spanish sovereignty over Gibraltar would be possible only if acceptable to the Gibraltarians. Under the treaty of Utrecht independence is not an option, unless Spain is prepared to agree.
The Government are actively seeking to improve relations between Gibraltar and Spain and, as a significant aspect of this, working for increasingly close local co-operation which will be beneficial for the whole region. This would be in full accordance with the spirit of the CSCE, and of developments in the European Community of which Gibraltar is part. Such co- operation can flourish only on the basis of mutual confidence. We hope that all parties will act in a way that builds trust and leads to progress.
Third-world Debt
Mrs. Clwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the amount of provisions against third-world debts set aside by commercial banks on which tax relief was allowed in the latest year for which figures were available ; and what was the total tax relief allowed.
Mr. Maude : I have been asked to reply.
The reduction in mainstream corporation tax receipts for 1989-90 is estimated at £illion. The corresponding provisions allowable for tax relief amount to about£1 billion.
SCOTLAND
Educational Psychologists
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what figures he has on (a) the total numbers of children referred by their schools to see educational psychologists and (b) those currently waiting to do so.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : This information is not held centrally.
Column 190
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the actual and the recommended numbers of educational psychologists in each local education authority.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The full-time equivalent number of educational psychologists employed in regional and islands psychological services in Scotland as at September 1989 was :
|Number
------------------------------------
Borders |4.0
Central |20.0
Dumfries and Galloway |10.0
Fife |22.0
Grampian |26.0
Highland |13.0
Lothian |33.4
Strathclyde |160.5
Tayside |23.5
Orkney |2.0
Shetland |2.0
Western Isles |2.0
Scotland |318.4
Strathclyde Divisions
Argyll and Bute |4.0
Ayr |23.0
Dumbarton |20.0
Glasgow |50.0
Lanark |41.0
Renfrew |22.5
Source: School Census return SC6.
It is for education authorities themselves to determine the number of educational psychologists they require to assist them in carrying out their functions.
MFV Antares
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will hold a fatal accident inquiry into the recent sinking of the MFV Antares with the loss of her four-man crew.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : The procurator fiscal at Kilmarnock is investigating the circumstances of the loss of this vessel and will report to Crown counsel. A fatal accident inquiry is mandatory in any case involving a death resulting from an accident in the course of employment.
Deaf-blind Children
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaf-blind children are currently enrolled in primary and secondary schools ; what provisions have been made for them ; and what plans for improvement are to be implemented in the near future.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The information requested is not held centrally.
Disabled Pupils
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children confined to wheelchairs are currently enrolled in primary and secondary schools ; and what information he has on the number unable to be offered places due to lack of funds or facilities.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The information requested is not held centrally.
Column 191
Transport Expenditure
Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase transport expenditure in Scotland.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton : My right hon. Friend has made provision in 1991-92 totalling £375 million for expenditure on roads and transport by central Government and for capital expenditure by local authorities. Although expenditure provision in 1991-92 will be lower than in 1990-91 it has risen substantially in recent years.
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Agricultural Industry
Mr. Livsey : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the state of the agricultural industry ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Curry : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) on 29 November at column 1008.
Dairy Industry
Mr. Geraint Howells : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the present state of the dairy industry ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Curry : In 1988-89 dairy farming was the most profitable sector of agriculture in the United Kingdom. More recently dairy incomes have been under pressure as a result of rising costs at a time of lower prices for calves and static milk prices. The problems of structural surplus are again apparent and it is clear that the Community milk regime needs to give greater weight to market forces. Furthermore, I remain of the view that both United Kingdom dairy farmers and the dairy industry generally would benefit from a move away from the present statutory milk marketing arrangements towards a more competitive system.
Sea Fish Industry Authority
Dr. Godman : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report the names of the chairman and executive members of the Sea Fish Industry Authority, their terms of office, remuneration and from whence they were recruited for these posts.
Mr. Curry : The chairman and other members of the authority were appointed on 1 October 1990 and the deputy chairman on 1 December. Appointments are normally for a three-year period, but Ministers may, under certain circumstances, terminate an appointment at any time during that three-year period.
The board comprises 12 members appointed by Ministers. The chairman and deputy chairman and two other members are independent members who have no direct financial or commercial interest in the fishing industry. The other members are drawn from various sectors of the fishing and fish processing industry and the industry is consulted on their appointments. These
Column 192
members represent the industry as a whole rather than their own particular sector. The chairman receives £25,490 and the deputy chairman £11,909 and the other board members £5,330 per annum for their services.Names of the authority's board members and their position are given in the table. Further biographical details were given in the MAFF news releases 296/90 of 30 August, 321/90 of 25 September and 385/90 of 4 December, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Independent Members
Mr. John MacKay (Chairman)
Mr. Eric Davey, JP (Deputy Chairman)
Professor Mike Haines
Mr. Frank Ledwidge, OBE, FCA
Industry Representatives
Mr. John Adams
Mr. John V. Cradock
Mr. William Hay, CBE
Mr. Duncan Macinnes, JP
Mr. Ian McFadden
Miss Elizabeth Stevenson
Mr. David Vickers
Mr. Colin Warwick
Beef
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the local authorities which currently have a ban on eating beef in schools ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maclean : This information is not available. All local authorities have been advised of the chief medical officer's view that British beef can be eaten safely by everyone. The Agriculture Committee's report on BSE endorsed this view.
Fishing Boats
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he intends to take action to control the use of tributyltin used by fishing boats ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Curry : The use, sale, supply, advertisement or storage of tributyltin (TBT) paint for use on vessels under 25 m or on fish and shellfish farming equipment was made an offence under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 as from 1 July 1987. This ban covers more than 98 per cent. of the United Kingdom fishing fleet. The United Kingdom is playing a leading role in international discussions of the need for further controls to limit TBT contamination from, for example, dry dock operations and larger vessels.
Waste Disposal
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next intends to publish his annual report on the disposal of waste at sea ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Curry : A report on the licensing of waste disposal at sea in 1988 and 1989, together with results of the Ministry's monitoring of the marine environment in those years is being finalised for publication. It is expected to be published in March 1991.
Poultry Flocks (Salmonella)
Mr. Barry Field : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on compensation for
salmonella-infected poultry flocks.
Column 193
Mr. Gummer : I have considered carefully the outcome of a recent arbitration case in which the National Farmers Union, on behalf of 11 flock owners, disputed the amount of compensation paid for poultry flocks which had been compulsorily slaughtered. The arbitrator decided that the payments to the flock owners concerned should be increased. This will be done, in accordance with the terms laid down by the arbitrator.I have also decided to alter the compensation arrangements for all other producers who have received, or will receive, compensation after the date of the arbitrator's award on 25 September. With effect from that date compensation will be calculated on the basis of the full value of the number of birds in the flock, other than the estimated number of diseased birds for which there is no requirement for the payment of compensation under the Animal Health Act 1981. The number of diseased birds will be calculated on the basis of the level of infection in the flock estimated from the examination of samples. The precise method of calculating compensation on this basis will be discussed with industry organisations. The new arrangements are expected in most cases to result in a significant increase in the amount of compensation paid to flock owners.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Income Support
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is given to his Department's officers to decide an appropriate level of remuneration for part-time work undertaken by those claiming income support.
Miss Widdecombe : The chief adjudication officer is responsible for providing guidance to the Department's adjudication officers, who decide all questions relating to entitlement to income support. Normally, a claimant's gross part-time earnings, less any appropriate deductions, are used when calculating how much benefit can be paid. In a small number of cases, however, earnings are assumed where a person receives no earnings for the work done, or less earnings than is paid for comparable work in the locality. But this rule does not apply to charitable or voluntary work, or where there is evidence that the employer cannot afford to pay higher wages. Adjudication officers are advised, therefore, to consider the nature of the employment, and to compare the rate of pay with that for similar work in the area and any evidence provided by the job centre. The detailed guidance is contained in the adjudication officer's guide, paragraphs 29,251 to 29,400, a copy of which is in the Library.
Child Benefit
Mr. Richard Shepherd : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the recently announced increase in child benefit for the only, elder or eldest child in the family is to be made an overlapping benefit in respect of the contributory benefit child dependency increase.
Mr. Jack : I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) on 16 November. I can confirm that the adjustment to which my
Column 194
hon. Friend referred will be provided for by means of an amendment to the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations 1979.Elderly People (Carers)
Mrs. Ray Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has on the number of (a) women, (b) men and (c) families engaged in full-time unpaid work caring for physically or mentally handicapped elderly persons in the United Kingdom ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Scott : The information is not available in the form requested. In September 1990 there were approximately 130,000 people receiving invalid care allowance, of whom 82 per cent. were women. A recipient of this benefit must provide at least 35 hours care per week to a severely disabled person who receives attendance allowance or constant attendance allowance.
The 1985 general household survey identified 1.4 million people who devoted at least 20 hours each week to caring.
Pensions
Dr. Hampson : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of allowing men and women to retire at 60 years on 80 per cent. of the national average wage.
Miss Widdecombe : The information requested is not available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The cost of providing state retirement pensions to men and women at age 60 has been estimated at £3 billion a year at 1985-86 prices.
Dr. Hampson : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of paying pensioners £100 per week over the present rates.
Miss Widdecombe : The cost of increasing thestate retirement pension by this amount would be approximately £45.5 billion per year.
Administrative Costs
Mr. Devlin : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the administrative costs of his Department rose by more or less than the retail price index in the last financial year.
Miss Widdecombe : Overall, the administrative costs of the Department increased by more than the retail prices index in 1989-90. This figure includes a large capital investment programme in respect of the computerisation of the benefits system, which will produce substantial savings in later years. If this element is excluded, the administrative costs rose by slightly less than the retail prices index.
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