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(4) what percentage of claims for disability living allowance so far adjudicated on have been awarded benefit ; at what rate this benefit has been awarded, broken down for each of the regional disability benefit centres ; and if he will make a statement ; (5) what percentage of claims for disability living allowance have been able to be adjudicated as they were received ; what percentage required further medical evidence or opinion, broken down for each of the regional disability benefit centres ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Scott : The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.
Mr. Nigel Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of claimants for disability living allowance opted to undergo a medical examination rather than use the self-assessment form, broken down for each regional disability benefit centre ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Scott : The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.
Social Fund
Mr. Bayley : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in 1991-92, how many social fund applicants made (a) only one application to the fund, (b) two applications, (c) three applications, (d) four applications, (e) five applications and (f) six or more applications ; and if he will provide a breakdown of these data by client groups.
Mr. Scott : This information is not available.
Mr. Bayley : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the total number of people refused help from the social fund on the basis of their inability to repay social fund loans for each of the years 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91 and 1991-92 ; and what proportion of social fund loans refusals this represents for each year ;
(2) if he will publish the social fund loans and grants allocations to individual districts for the year 1992-93.
Mr. Scott : The information requested is contained in the Secretary of State's annual report on the social fund, social fund statistics monthly reports and the allocations lists, copies of which are available in the Library.
Mr. Bayley : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of social fund award expenditure in (a) 1988-89, (b) 1989-90, (c) 1990-91 and (d) 1991-92 has now been written off as unrecoverable.
Mr. Scott : The information is in the table.
-
|c|Percentage of expenditure
for which recovery action has
been|c|
|c|abandoned|c|
|Per cent.
------------------------------
1988-89 |0.06
1989-90 |0.90
1990-91 |1.20
1991-92 |1.00
Mr. Bayley : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will take steps to ensure that no social fund applicants are refused help as a result of the failure of the computerised allocation system which led to allocations being made to a number of districts which had later to be reduced.
Mr. Scott : We have acted swiftly and effectively to correct allocations in a way which minimises disruption. No district has received less than it should have done following these revised allocations.
Mr. Meacher : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will now publish the York university social and public research unit report on the social fund which he received several weeks ago.
Mr. Scott : I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 25 June at column 308.
Disabled Employees
Mr. Janner : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively, and overall in his Department are registered disabled people.
Mr. Burt : The information for the Department and its executive agencies at 1 June 1991 is in the table.
Grade |Total |Registered|Percentage
|disabled
-------------------------------------------------------
1 to 7 |704 |3 |0.4
Others |77,640 |1,462 |1.9
Total |78,344 |1,465 |1.9
Notes:
1.The figures do not include staff with disabilities
who chose not to register or chose not to disclose
their registration.
2.The figures do not include over 50 registered
disabled people employed under the sheltered placement
scheme.
3.For each grade, all non-industrial staff in
equivalent grades are included.
4.The figures for grades 1 to 7 have been grouped
together as the numbers of registered disabled staff
in these grades are very small and they risk
identifying an individual.
5.All figures refer to full-time equivalents.
Income Support
Ms. Jowell : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to monitor the effects of refusal of applications by young people for payment of income support to prevent severe hardship.
Mr. Burt : The Department is not in a position to monitor the effects in the manner suggested. Young people who are not entitled to income support under the severe hardship provision are sent a letter giving advice to claim again should their circumstances change, or if they think they are entitled to benefit because a decision was made in ignorance of a material fact or as a result of an error as to fact. Currently more than 80 per cent. of applicants are successful.
Occupational Pensions
Mr. Dunn : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will introduce regulations to implement the employer debt provision for occupational pensions set out in the Social Security Act 1990.
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Mr. Lilley : I have today laid before Parliament the Occupational Pension Schemes (Deficiency on Winding Up etc.) Regulations 1992 which bring into effect section 58B of the Social Security Pensions Act 1975 as introduced by the Social Security Act 1990 under which a deficiency in a pension scheme that is wound up becomes a debt to the employer.
Cold Weather Payments
Mrs. Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on what dates and in what parts of Moray constituency the cold weather payments system was triggered during the winter of 1991-92 ; and how many households received payments on each occasion ; (2) on what dates cold weather payments were made in Moray constituency in response to a forecast of a qualifying period ; and if he will indicate the period taken for payments to be made once the system had been triggered.
Mr. Scott : Such information as is available is in the Library.
Mrs. Ewing : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in Moray constituency qualify for payments under the cold weather payments scheme.
Mr. Scott : The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.
Vehicle Excise Duty
Dr. Marek : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what information he has on the type of disability, and age of the person concerned presently benefiting from vehicle excise duty exemption because the person is disabled, under five or over 65 years old and receiving disability living allowance or attendance allowance ;
(2) how many persons were in receipt of vehicle excise duty exemption under (a) pre-1976 vehicle schemes, (b) because they were eligible for the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance or (c) were under five or over 65 years old and receiving disability living allowance or attendance allowance, for each of the last five years for which figures are available ; (3) how many new first time successful applications there were for vehicle excise duty exemption by disabled people under the three existing possible categories, in the last 12 months for which figures are available.
Mr. Scott : The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available on the number of disabled people applying for and receiving exemption is as follows :
|c|(a) invalid carriage
users exempt at;|c|
|Number
----------------------------
31 March 1988 |4,672
31 March 1989 |3,712
31 March 1990 |3,124
31 March 1991 |2,760
31 March 1992 |2,125
There have been no new first time successful applications for exemption during this period since the invalid carriage scheme was phased out in 1976.
(b) receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component of disability living allowance ; approximately 400,000 receive exemption.
(c) disabled passengers scheme users ; approximately 20,000 receive exemption. There were 4,183 first time successful applications during the period 1 April 1991--31 March 1992.
Maxwell Pension Funds
Mr. Meacher : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state how much has been used by Maxwell pension funds in legal fees to try to recover the lost assets ; and if he will now underwrite these costs.
Miss Widdecombe : The cost of legal fees incurred in recovering assets missing from Maxwell pension funds is a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes concerned. The emergency funding of up to £2.5 million which we have made available will be used soley for payments of pensions.
Mr. Meacher : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out his target for recovery of the lost Maxwell assets by the special unit within his Department and, in particular, what proportion of the total assets he aims to have recovered and within what period of time.
Miss Widdecombe : It is too early to say how much of the missing assets will prove to be recoverable. Officials in the special unit will do everything they can to assist trustees of Maxwell pension funds, liquidators and others to secure the speedy return of assets and the rebuilding of pension funds to the point where they can meet their liabilities in full.
Compensation Recovery Scheme
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants have had deductions from benefit entitlement under the compensation recovery scheme ; and how much is (a) the average amount deducted and (b) the total amount reclaimed.
Miss Widdecombe : The total amount deducted and paid to the compensation recovery unit up to 31 May 1992 was £35.5 million. The number of claimants involved was 29,216 at an average of approximately £1,200 per case.
PRIME MINISTER
National Security
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish Her Majesty's Government's definition of the term national security.
The Prime Minister : This term is generally understood to refer to the safeguarding of the state and community against threats to their survival or well-being.
School Nurses
Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Prime Minister what response he will be making to the Amalgamated School Nurses Association's petition to him, presented on 24 June ; and if he will make a statement.
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The Prime Minister : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health will write and congratulate the association on reaching its centenary year and will also acknowledge the value that her Department attaches to the association's role as a representative body for school nurses and assure the association that it will continue to be consulted about departmental initiatives on the school health service.
Engagements
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 30 June.
The Prime Minister : This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I shall be having further meetings later today.
Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 30 June.
The Prime Minister : This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House I shall be having further meetings later today.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION
Civil Service Contracts
Dr. Marek : To ask the chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what account has been taken in the planning and estimates of the National Audit Office of the number of staff required to test the value-for-money policies on proposals for contracting out civil service work.
Sir Peter Hordern : The Public Accounts Commission will be examining the National Audit Office's estimates for 1993-94 and corporate plan for 1993-94 to 1997-98 early next month. I understand that these take full account of the Government's "Competing for Quality" initiative.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Sinai
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 June, Official Report, column 326, why it is proposed to end the United Kingdom commitment to the multinational force and observers in Sinai ; what response he has received from other signatories of the 1981 protocol establishing the MFO ; what are the financial implications of the proposed withdrawal ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : Our decision to review our commitment to the Sinai multinational force and observers reflects financial considerations and the fact that the Israeli-Egyptian border is both stable and internationally recognised. We have received various responses to our decision to withdraw from the signatories to the 1981 protocol, which we are considering. The full cost of the United Kingdom contingent in the financial year 1991-92 was of the order of £1 million.
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Cyprus
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what indications he has received of proposals for changes in the constitution of the United Nations forces in Cyprus ; if he proposes to alter the level or nature of the United Kingdom contribution to these forces ; until what date the United Kingdom is formally committed to provide forces for the United Nations in Cyprus ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Garel-Jones : As requested in United Nations Security Council resolution 759, the United Nations secretariat is discussing with the United Kingdom and other troop contributors the future size and shape of the United Nations Force in Cyprus. The Secretary-General will report to the Security Council on this question by1 September. The Security Council reviews UNFICYP every six months : the current mandate lasts until December 1992.
Westminster Foundation for Democracy
Mr. Sims : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy since its establishment ; to what extent Her Majesty's Government have given it support ; and what plans the Government have to develop the foundation's activities.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The Westminster Foundation for Democracy was incorporated on 26 February 1992. In accordance with the foundation's articles, I have appointed 14 governors following consultations with the political parties represented at Westminster. They have elected Sir James Spicer as their chairman and Mr. George Robertson and Sir Russell Johnston as vice-chairmen. The Government are providing funding of £1 million for the foundation's activities in this financial year. I have also instructed embassies abroad to help the foundation when requested. Questions about the activities of the foundation and its future plans should, however, be addressed direct to the foundation itself as its operations are independent of the Government.
Nuclear Weapons
Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what implications the clandestine Iraqi nuclear weapon programme has had for his Departments's policy on United Kingdom negative security guarantees regarding the use or threatened use of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The negative security assurance given by the United Kingdom in 1978 remain unchanged.
Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on establishing a common policy among all the nuclear weapon states regarding negative security guarantees.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : All five nuclear weapon states have already given negative security assurances, although they are not identical. We consider the United Kingdom's guarantee to be sufficient as it stands.
Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on
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extending the United Kingdom's negative security guarantees on nuclear weapons into a legally binding convention.Mr. Douglas Hogg : It is the Government's view that our negative security assurance offers sufficient guarantee, in its present form, to those non-nuclear-weapon states which it is designed to protect.
ABM Treaty
Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards the continued adherence of the parties to the anti-ballistic missile treaty.
Mr. Garel-Jones : We support the continued adherence of the United States and Russia to the ABM treaty. Any changes to the treaty should be agreed by the two parties.
Hong Kong
Mr. Adley : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any proposals to amend or renegotiate the 1984 joint agreement on Hong Kong as signed by Her Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government.
Mr. Goodlad : No. Her Majesty's Government remain fully committed to the Sino-British joint declaration on the question of Hong Kong, an international treaty deposited with the United Nations.
Brazil (Street Children)
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Brazilian authorities about the abduction of street children for use in organ transplants.
Mr. Garel-Jones : We are in touch with the Brazilian authorities on all aspects of the welfare of street children. Our embassy is monitoring closely.
DEFENCE
Nuclear Deterrent
13. Mr. David Shaw : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the policy of nuclear deterrents in relation to the ownership of nuclear weapons by other states.
Mr. Rifkind : In its new strategic concept agreed last autumn, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation reaffirmed that nuclear weapons remain essential to the alliance's strategy for preserving peace. The United Kingdom's independent deterrent is our ultimate safeguard in a world in which many countries have the potential to acquire nuclear and other powerful weapons.
Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his consideration of how best the United Kingdom might contribute to the strategic nuclear arms control process, as referred to in paragraph 319, Statement on the Defence Estimates, I991, volume 1.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : We have always made it clear that the United Kingdom would deploy only the minimum
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strategic deterrent required for our security needs. The United States and Russia have agreed to reduce their strategic nuclear forces substantially over the next seven to 11 years, reflecting an improved strategic environment. At the same time, there is increasing interest in improving ballistic missile defences and their deployment on a limited basis. These factors will be taken fully into account in keeping under review the capability which will need to be deployed to maintain an effective deterrent into the next century.Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assurances he has received from the United States Government regarding implications for the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear deterrent of the sharing of American anti-ballistic missile technology with Russia.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The United States Government have assured us that nothing will be done in connection with United States proposals for limited ballistic missile defences which could undermine the effectiveness of our deterrent.
Mr. Amess : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on nuclear defence.
Mr. Rifkind : The Government intend that our independent nuclear deterrent should continue to provide the ultimate guarantee of our security in the decades ahead, as it has for decades past.
Defence Spending
15. Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the anticipated total expenditure on Britain's defence requirements during the current financial year.
Mr. Rifkind : The present estimate is £24.2 billion.
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
16. Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he has received concerning the nuclear non-proliferation treaty since the general election.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : My right hon. and learned Friend has received several letters from organisations and members of the public on many aspects of defence policy and arms control, including the nuclear non- proliferation treaty, since the general election.
Options for Change"
17. Mr. Simon Coombs : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy on the armed forces in the light of responses to "Options for Change".
Mr. Rifkind : In parallel with other NATO countries and those of the former Warsaw pact, our policy is to restructure our forces to meet changed international circumstances. Although smaller, they will be more flexible, more mobile and better-equipped than ever before, and of a scale and quality appropriate to the challenges and risks of an unpredictable world.
27. Mr. Ancram : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reassessments he has made of the proposals in "Options for Change" in the light of potential changes in international security requirements.
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Mr. Archie Hamilton : I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs).
Arms Sales
18. Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the sale of arms to other countries.
Mr. Aitken : It is our general policy to support the sale of British defence equipment overseas wherever this is compatible with our political, strategic and security interests and does not conflict with our international obligations.
20. Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met his Saudi Arabian counterpart to discuss arms sales.
Mr. Aitken : My right hon. and learned Friend has not yet had a meeting with the Saudi Arabian Minister of Defence but he looks forward so to doing. His predecessor last met the Saudi Arabian Minister of Defence on 21 January this year.
Nuclear Test Veterans
19. Mr. McMaster : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to meet representatives of the Nuclear Test Veterans Association to discuss compensation.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so.
Franco-German Corps
23. Lady Olga Maitland : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his Western European Union partners on the role of the Franco-German corps.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : My right hon. and learned Friend has discussed this subject with a number of his WEU colleagues, most recently at the WEU Council of Ministers meeting near Bonn on 19 June.
Infantry
22. Mrs. Ann Winterton : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about future manning levels for the infantry.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : I regularly receive representations from both individuals and interest groups.
24. Mr. Malcolm Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received regarding the workload of British infantry regiments ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : I have received a number of representations regarding infantry commitments all of which have been noted.
Trident
25. Mr. Salmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the most recent estimated total cost of the Trident programme ; and if he will make a statement.
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