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Mr. Forth : We now estimate that the total cost to the Department of compilation, publication and distribution to meet the expected demand for school-by-school comparative tables of examination results will be some £1.4 million.
Column 547
Consultants
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list all of the reports his Department has commissioned from external consultants in each of the last three years ; for each of the last three years, how many reports from external consultants to his Department led to further consultancy work being commissioned, stating for each of these who were the original and subsequent consultants and briefly describing the subject matter of the consultancy work ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Forman : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 15 July, Official Report, column 727 . The majority of consultancies listed for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 in my earlier reply led to reports, some of which were for internal use ; some of which were published. The following consultancies-- asterisked--were either renewed or led to further work being commissioned :
|Consultancy
|Commissioned
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990
*90/7. |Peter Pierce-Price |Quality assurance of
| ECCTIS 2000 Contract
| renewed on 31 March 91
| and 31 March 92
*90/24. |SSADM (SCOLL) |Productivity Improvement
| Programme
90/25. |Lalcrest |Productivity Improvement
| Programme
91/13. |LBMS Ltd |Development of Productivity
| Improvement Initiative
*90/31. |BIS |Project review of Enhanced
| Technical Data Service
| (ETDS)
90/32. |ORACLE |Evaluation of software for
| ETDS
90/33. |Henley |Feasibility of ETDS
91/49. |BBT |ETDS data conversion
91/79. |Coopers Lybrand Deloitte |ETDS and DCPS business
| case
91/80. |Insight |ETDS CRAMM review
*90/36. |Kinesis |Facilitator in
| implementation of IT
| Records Management
| System
90/37. |Coopers Lybrand Deloitte |Management of change for
| IT Records Management
| System
*90/38. |Amtec |Feasibility Study for Policy
| Branch Information
| System
91/71 |EIS |Policy Branch Information
| System
*90/46. |BIS |Full Study for replacement
| of Data Collection
| Processing System (DCPS)
90/47 |ORACLE |Benchmark of hardware for
| DCPS
91/82 |Sema |DCPS
1991
*91/1. |Robson Rhodes |Selection and
| implementation of
| Financial Management
| System for Teacher's
| Pensions Agency
|Robson Rhodes |Operation of FMS system
91/28. |Michael Gill |Quality assurance of
| PROSPECT Contract
| renewed on 31 March 92
91/76. |ORACLE |HMI management system
77/91. |Dataflex |HMI management system
Column 548
University Staff
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many readers and professors there are in each of Britain's universities ;
(2) whether he will publish a list showing the numbers of (a) academic and (b) non-academic staff at each university.
Mr. Forman : The latest published details of academic staff are contained in "University Statistics 1989-90, Volume One, Staff and Students", published by the Universities Statistical Record--USR--and in "The Academic Staff in Polytechnics and Colleges : 1991", an information document published by the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council--PCFC. I understand that copies of the USR publication are available in the Library and copies of the PCFC document will be placed in the Library. Details of non-academic staff at individual institutions are not available centrally.
PRIME MINISTER
Library and Information Services
Mr. Cousins : To ask the Prime Minister what inter-departmental co- ordination of Government policy towards library and information services exists ; and what steps he is taking to improve such co-ordination.
The Prime Minister : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage liaises with colleagues on library and information matters where these are not within a specific departmental interest. Department of National Heritage officials have close working relations with other Government Departments. The National Heritage Secretary is considering how far these links need to be strengthened, and will initiate action as necessary.
Security Services
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy in regard to permitting serving members of the security services to give evidence in court cases held in the United Kingdom on matters related to their responsibilities.
The Prime Minister : There is no objection of principle to serving members of the security and intelligence services giving evidence in court cases held in the United Kingdom on matters relating to their responsibilities, subject to considerations of the public interest, including protection of identification, and to the condition of relevance being satisfied.
European Parliament
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in regard to examining reports produced by the European Parliament committees.
The Prime Minister : Departments in London closely follow European Parliament--EP--developments on subjects within their responsibilities. Councils in Brussels take account of EP resolutions relating to their current business. Each Foreign Affairs Council considers resolutions recently approved by the European Parliament and the presidency draws attention to resolutions of particular importance.
Column 549
Edinburgh Summit
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government will support the proposals to be made at the Edinburgh summit by the Government of Denmark.
The Prime Minister : The proposals submitted by the Danish Government on ratification of the Maastricht treaty will form the basis for our discussions with other member states. Our objective is to agree the framework for a solution at Edinburgh.
Indonesia
Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Prime Minister if he will review the Government's opposition to an arms embargo against Indonesia.
The Prime Minister : No. I do not believe that a review is necessary.
European Union
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister what opportunities exist for citizens of the United Kingdom to make suggestions to the European Commission for proposals to the Council under the provisions of the treaty on European Union.
The Prime Minister : Any citizen of a member state may make suggestions to the Commission.
Maastricht Treaty
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he will put forward to enable the Danish request for exemption from part two of the treaty on European union, concerning citizenship, to be met.
The Prime Minister : A memorandum was presented by the Danish Government to Community member states on 30 October. This will now be discussed within the Community.
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Prime Minister in what areas of policy covered by the treaty on European union will the Commission's role be solely advisory.
The Prime Minister : There are provisions in the treaty on European union for the Commission to be consulted on a proposal by another party ; for example, article 168a--court of first instance--and article N-- amendment of the treaty.
Government Employees
Mr. Ralph Howell : To ask the Prime Minister what is the number of persons employed in general Government using the figures for (a) 1961 and (b) 1991 ; and what is the percentage increase that the 1991 figure represents.
The Prime Minister : The information required is available in the Central Statistical Office publication "Economic Trends", December 1991-- Table D of "Employment in the public and private sectors". A copy is available in the Library.
Public Record Office
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Prime Minister how many papers his Department has currently withdrawn from the Public Record Office ; if he will list their titles ; and when he estimates that they will be returned.
Column 550
The Prime Minister : About 30 files of papers on open deposit at the Public Record Office are currently requisitioned for departmental use in London as permitted under the legislation, but the number may change from day to day. They have mainly been requisitioned for purposes of official historical research. A member of the public applying for access to any such file has only to cite its title and number, by reference to the shelf lists held at the Public Record Office, and arrangements can normally be made for its early return to the public reading room for as long as may reasonably be required.
Health Pay Review Boards
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to suspend the health pay review boards ; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 6 November 1992] : The Government see a continuing role for these review bodies, whose advice it has greatly valued. We have made clear to the review bodies, and more generally, the importance we attach to tight control over public spending and borrowing. As part of this, the Government will be seeking to maintain firm downward pressure on growth in the pay of public sector employees, including those whose pay is subject to the recommendations of the pay review bodies.
President Yeltsin
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make representations to President Yeltsin concerning the Russian seal cull at his forthcoming meeting ; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 5 November 1992] : The Russian authorities are well aware of public concern in the United Kingdom about seal culling. The EC banned the import of harp and hooded seal pup skins in 1983. The United Kingdom persuaded the Community to extend the ban indefinitely in 1989.
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Ministerial Visits
Mr. Meacher : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official visits the Minister for Overseas Development has made over the last three weeks ; what visits she plans over the next three weeks ; which countries she visited ; and for how long in each case.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : The information requested is as follows :
Official Visit |Days
------------------------------------------------------
Last three weeks |Duration of visit
Geneva |1
Russia and the
Ukraine |3
Japan |4
Brussels |1
Next three weeks |Expected duration
Spain |1
Brussels |1"
New York |2
The durations of the visits do not include time spent travelling to the destination.
Tanzania
Sir Thomas Arnold : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of aid to Tanzania broken down by project.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : Gross bilateral aid to Tanzania in 1991 was £40.344 million. Of this, £957,000 was project aid, £17.977 million programme aid, £13.196 million technical co-operation, and £8.214 million other types of aid, such as flows from the Commonwealth Development Corporation.
The table lists the capital and technical co-operation projects currently supported.
Project |Total cost of
|project
|£000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agriculture and Livestock
West Kilimanjaro Farms Dairy Project |495
Zanzibar Clove Disease Research Project |799
Armyworm Control Project |726
Lindi/Mtwara Goat Development Project |360
Sunflower Research Project |300
National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) |1,572
Livestock Development |120
Kilimanjaro Farms Coffee Project |30
Zanzibar Cash Crops Project (Phase II) |2,666
World Bank Agricultural Study |300
Forestry
Cashew Nuts and Coconut Tree Crops Project |3,510
Kilombero Hardwood Study |91
Conservation
Ruaha Wildlife Conservation Project |800
Fisheries
Lindi/Mtwara Fisheries Project |212
Energy
Mufindi Electrification Project |2,067
Roads
Songea-Makambako Road Post-Construction
Maintenance Project (Phase II) |1,573
Regional Road Maintenance |3,786
Highway Sector Field Manager |70
Aveling Barford Road Maintenance |5
Tanzam Highway Study |150
Railways
Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) |10,969
TRC Operations Improvement Plan |502
Water Transport
Tanzanian Harbours Authority |2,000
Tanga Port Rehabilitation |5,470
Finance
Financial Sector Adjustment Credit |200
Assistance Tanzania Development Financial
Company (T.D.F.L.) |100
Assistance to National Board of Commerce
(NBC) and Co-operative and Rural
Development Bank (CRDB) |265
Privatisation Workshop |30
Computerisation of Foreign Aid Account |40
Assistance to Bank of Tanzania |70
Public Administration and Good Government
Local Government Service Commission |1,401
Institute of Development Management |422
Zanzibar Civil Service Training Institute |373
Government Audit Project |1,246
Police Training |358
Constitutional Reform |24
Paralstatal Reform |1,000
Social Development Adviser |40
Planning Commission |130
Personnel Control and Information Systems |90
Public Sector Adjustment |144
Education
Zanzibar English Language Training |1,441
Tenger Agricultural Tutors |290
University Support Project Applied Zoology |509
Agricultural Engineering (Sokoine) |383
(ELT) Support Project (Phase II) |5,580
Population Census Support Project |447
Medium Term AIDS Plan |3,000
Adult Mortality/Morbidity |1,139
Family Health Project |100
Mbeya Health and Nutrition District Support
(HANDS) |646
Tropical Forestry
Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts have been undertaken by the Overseas Development Administration to press for the reform of the tropical forestry action plan.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : In many international meetings since November 1990 the Overseas Development Administration has argued strongly for the reform of the tropical forestry action plan. Our aim continues to be to make it more responsive to the needs of local people and forest conservation and to focus it more on capacity building and policy development in developing countries. We have also argued for the establishment of a broad-based consultative group to oversee its operations.
Somalia
Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the latest situation in Somalia generally and in the Republic of Somaliland in particular in the light of the resignation of Ambassador Sahnoun ; and what representations the British Government have made to the Secretary-General of the United Nations as a result.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : My noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development met representatives from non-governmental organisations on 3 November to discuss the situation in the light of Ambassador Sahnoun's resignation. The security and relief situation in central and southern Somalia is volatile. In the north, the situation is more settled.
Acting bilaterally and on behalf of our Community partners, we have impressed upon the United Nations Secretary-General and his new special representative in Somalia, Mr. Ismat Kittani, the need for United Nations troops to be deployed quickly and for the United Nations' 100-day plan to continue. We have assured Mr. Ismat Kittani that we shall give him our full support.
Column 553
TRANSPORT
Coal Imports
Mr. Churchill : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what port facilities are currently under construction for the purpose of handling bulk imports of foreign coal ; and what public funds are being spent on these facilities or related rail or road infrastructure improvements.
Mr. Norris : The development of bulk handling facilities suitable for importing foreign coal is a matter for individual ports. I understand that such facilities are under construction at present at Gladstone dock, Liverpool, Royal Portbury dock, Avonmouth, and Kingston Terminal, Hull.
There are no improvements to the road network directly related to these developments. The provision of rail infrastructure is a matter for the commercial judgment of British Rail, However, the Department of Transport will be paying for widening a railway bridge across the M5, under a legally binding agreement with British Rail entered into when the M5 was being built. The current estimated cost is £2.35 million.
At Hull, construction of associated rail facilities is being assisted under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974 in recognition of the environmental benefits of distributing the product by rail rather than by road. The grant agreed was £226,000.
Bus Services
Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many companies in Scotland have (a) started operating bus services and (b) ceased operating bus services since the implementation of the Transport Act 1985.
Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many companies in England and Wales have (a) started operating bus services and (b) ceased operating bus services since the implementation of the Transport Act 1985.
Mr. Freeman : I have been asked to reply.
Information on the number of operators of local bus services is not available.
Public Transport (Women)
Ms. Richardson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines are currently provided by his Department to transport planners and providers concerning the provision of safe public transport for women.
Mr. Norris : The remit of my Department's standing panel on assaults on bus staff has been extended to include the monitoring of data on assaults on bus passengers and possible remedial measures. The panel has recommended that bus operators install radios and video cameras in their vehicles to protect both employees and passengers. We have also co- sponsored the passenger guidance leaflet published by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, "Travel Safely by Public Transport". The leaflet contains practical safety tips for women using all forms of public transport.
Column 554
Travel Cards
Mr. Robert Ainsworth : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make it his policy that whole system travel cards should continue to be provided within the proposed franchising system after rail privatisation ;
(2) if he will make it his policy to extend the requirement on carriers to participate in the west midlands travel card scheme beyond the current three-year provision.
Mr. Freeman : Travel cards are attractive to customers and have marketing advantages for operators. Our objective following privatisation is that travel cards should be sufficiently attractive commercially that franchisees will wish to participate in them.
Preston-Colne Railway
Mr. Gordon Prentice : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects British Rail to be in a position to run new rolling stock on the Preston to Colne line.
Mr. Freeman : The service is already operated by modern Pacer units.
Mr. Gordon Prentice : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the quality, speed, comfort and reliability of the train service between Preston and Colne.
Mr. Freeman : These matters are primarily for the British Railways Board. However, I understand that, while services have operated reasonably well over recent months, there is still room for improvements. British Rail's passengers charter provides for compensation to be paid to passengers where performance falls significantly below agreed standards.
London Underground
Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what stage London Underground Ltd.'s discussions on its proposals for the East London line extensions with the local boroughs along the route of the project have reached ; and when, subject to the project meeting his Department's criteria, he expects London Underground Ltd. to seek parliamentary and planning approval under the powers contained in the Transport and Works Act 1992.
Mr. Norris : Over recent months, London Underground Ltd. have held a number of formal borough consultation meetings to discuss the principle of the project. These have been supported by meetings addressing specific issues. The project is currently being considered by the boards of London Underground and London Transport and no decision has yet been taken on when any powers should be sought.
Rail Privatisation
Mr. Robert Ainsworth : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he proposes Rail Track will raise investment income to maintain and extend the network ; and if he will make a statement on the impact of franchise costs.
Mr. Freeman : Investment will largely be financed over its life from charges to operators. However, the
Column 555
Government are also ready to provide direct support for investment in the railway for schemes which, although not earning an adequate financial return, provide a satisfactory cost-benefit return when wider benefits are taken into account. The benefits of investment, as well as the costs, for franchisees will of course differ from case to case.Mr. Robert Ainsworth : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of his privatisation proposals for British Rail on exploitation of the opportunities to improve the north- south rail service in the Coventry travel-to-work area and Coventry station.
Mr. Freeman : I expect the introduction of franchising to enable private sector operators to respond more flexibly to customer need.
Mr. Robert Ainsworth : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to ensure that the financial regime governing the post-privatisation rail service will require local service and local economic factors to be taken into consideration in investment decisions.
Mr. Freeman : Privatisation will help the railways to give passenger and freight customers the services they expect. The Government have made clear that they fully recognise the social and other benefits of regional and commuter passenger services and are committed to providing continuing subsidy to support them.
Railway Regulator
Mr. Mackinlay : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the statutory provision governing the operation of the railway regulator with effect from 1 January 1993.
Column 556
Mr. Freeman : We shall shortly lay before the House regulations under section 2 of the European Communities Act 1972 to implement European Council Directive 91/440 on 1 January 1993. The regulations will provide for the establishment of an international rail regulator to oversee access to the rail network by international services.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Housing Benefit
Mr. Raynsford : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the net income left currently after payment of tax and national insurance, and deduction of housing benefit, community charge benefit and where applicable family credit, for (a) a single person in employment and (b) a family with children, of whom one adult is in employment, for every extra £1 of earnings while benefit entitlement remains, and how this would change were the housing benefit tapers to be adjusted to (i) 50 per cent., (ii) 55 per cent., (iii) 60 per cent., (iv) 70 per cent., (v) 75 per cent. and (vi) 80 per cent.
Mr. Burt : The information requested is in the tables.
The following assumptions have been made :
1. The single employed person is over age 25.
2. The family with children contains two children aged 6 and 4. 3. The starting level of gross earnings in each case is that which gives a net income after housing costs around the level of net income after housing costs if in receipt of income support.
All other assumptions are as in the published tax benefit model tables.
Column 555
Married couple with two children aged 6 and 4
Net income after payment of tax, national insurance and deductions of housing benefit and community charge benefit and family credit
Taper
Gross earnings |50 per cent. |55 per cent. |60 per cent. |<1>65 per cent.|70 per cent. |75 per cent. |80 per cent.
£ |£ |£ |£ |£ |£ |£ |£
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
108 |89.04 |86.99 |84.94 |82.89 |80.85 |79.54 |79.54
109 |89.60 |87.54 |85.48 |83.42 |81.36 |80.21 |80.21
110 |90.17 |88.10 |86.03 |83.96 |81.89 |80.89 |80.89
111 |90.75 |88.67 |86.59 |84.51 |82.43 |81.57 |81.57
112 |91.32 |89.23 |87.14 |85.04 |82.95 |82.25 |82.25
113 |91.89 |89.79 |87.69 |85.59 |83.49 |82.93 |82.93
114 |92.47 |90.36 |88.24 |86.13 |83.61 |83.61 |83.61
115 |93.03 |90.91 |88.79 |86.66 |84.28 |84.28 |84.28
116 |93.60 |91.47 |89.34 |87.20 |84.96 |84.96 |84.96
117 |94.18 |92.03 |89.89 |87.75 |85.64 |85.64 |85.64
118 |94.75 |92.60 |90.44 |88.29 |86.32 |86.32 |86.32
119 |95.31 |93.15 |90.98 |88.82 |86.99 |86.99 |86.99
120 |95.89 |93.71 |91.54 |89.36 |87.67 |87.67 |87.67
121 |96.46 |94.28 |92.09 |89.90 |88.35 |88.35 |88.35
122 |97.03 |94.84 |92.64 |90.44 |89.03 |89.03 |89.03
123 |91.61 |95.40 |93.19 |90.98 |89.71 |89.71 |89.71
124 |98.18 |95.96 |93.75 |91.53 |90.39 |90.39 |90.39
125 |98.75 |96.52 |94.26 |92.06 |91.06 |91.06 |91.06
126 |99.32 |97.08 |94.84 |92.60 |91.74 |91.74 |91.74
127 |99.89 |97.64 |95.39 |93.14 |92.42 |92.42 |92.42
128 |100.47 |98.21 |95.95 |93.68 |93.10 |93.10 |93.10
129 |101.04 |98.77 |96.49 |93.78 |93.78 |93.78 |93.78
130 |101.60 |99.32 |97.04 |94.45 |94.45 |94.45 |94.45
131 |102.18 |99.88 |97.59 |95.13 |95.13 |95.13 |95.13
132 |102.75 |100.44 |98.14 |95.81 |95.81 |95.81 |95.81
133 |103.32 |101.01 |98.69 |96.49 |96.49 |96.49 |96.49
134 |103.90 |101.57 |99.25 |97.17 |97.17 |97.17 |97.17
135 |104.46 |102.13 |99.79 |97.84 |97.84 |97.84 |97.84
136 |105.03 |102.69 |100.34 |98.52 |98.52 |98.52 |98.52
137 |105.61 |103.25 |100.89 |99.20 |99.20 |99.20 |99.20
138 |106.17 |103.81 |101.44 |99.87 |99.87 |99.87 |99.87
139 |106.70 |104.33 |101.95 |100.50 |100.50 |100.50 |100.50
140 |107.23 |104.85 |102.46 |101.13 |101.13 |101.13 |101.13
141 |107.77 |105.37 |102.97 |101.76 |101.76 |101.76 |101.76
142 |108.30 |105.89 |103.48 |102.39 |102.39 |102.39 |102.39
143 |108.83 |106.41 |103.99 |103.02 |103.02 |103.02 |103.02
144 |109.36 |106.93 |104.50 |103.65 |103.65 |103.65 |103.65
145 |109.89 |107.45 |105.01 |104.28 |104.28 |104.28 |104.28
146 |110.42 |107.98 |105.53 |104.91 |104.91 |104.91 |104.91
147 |110.95 |108.50 |106.04 |105.54 |105.54 |105.54 |105.54
148 |111.48 |109.02 |106.17 |106.17 |106.17 |106.17 |106.17
149 |112.01 |109.54 |106.80 |106.80 |106.80 |106.80 |106.80
150 |112.54 |110.06 |107.43 |107.43 |107.43 |107.43 |107.43
151 |113.08 |110.58 |108.06 |108.06 |108.06 |108.06 |108.06
152 |113.61 |111.10 |108.69 |108.69 |108.69 |108.69 |108.69
153 |114.14 |111.62 |109.36 |109.32 |109.32 |109.32 |109.32
154 |114.67 |112.14 |109.95 |109.95 |109.95 |109.95 |109.95
155 |115.20 |112.66 |110.58 |110.58 |110.58 |110.58 |110.58
156 |115.74 |113.20 |111.22 |111.22 |111.22 |111.22 |111.22
157 |116.27 |113.72 |111.85 |111.85 |111.85 |111.85 |111.85
158 |116.80 |114.24 |112.48 |112.48 |112.48 |112.48 |112.48
159 |117.33 |114.76 |113.11 |113.11 |113.11 |113.11 |113.11
160 |117.86 |115.28 |113.74 |113.74 |113.74 |113.74 |113.74
161 |118.40 |115.80 |114.37 |114.37 |114.37 |114.37 |114.37
162 |118.93 |116.32 |115.00 |115.00 |115.00 |115.00 |115.00
163 |119.46 |116.84 |115.63 |115.63 |115.63 |115.63 |115.63
164 |119.99 |117.36 |116.26 |116.26 |116.26 |116.26 |116.26
165 |120.52 |117.88 |116.89 |116.89 |116.89 |116.89 |116.89
166 |121.05 |118.41 |117.52 |117.52 |117.52 |117.52 |117.52
167 |121.58 |118.93 |118.15 |118.15 |118.15 |118.15 |118.15
168 |122.11 |119.45 |118.78 |118.78 |118.78 |118.78 |118.78
169 |122.64 |119.97 |119.41 |119.41 |119.41 |119.41 |119.41
170 |123.17 |120.04 |120.04 |120.04 |120.04 |120.04 |120.04
171 |123.71 |120.67 |120.67 |120.67 |120.67 |120.67 |120.67
172 |124.24 |121.30 |121.30 |121.30 |121.30 |121.30 |121.30
173 |124.77 |121.93 |121.93 |121.93 |121.93 |121.93 |121.93
174 |125.30 |122.56 |122.56 |122.56 |122.56 |122.56 |122.56
175 |125.83 |123.19 |123.19 |123.19 |123.19 |123.19 |123.19
176 |126.36 |123.82 |123.82 |123.82 |123.82 |123.82 |123.82
177 |126.89 |124.45 |124.45 |124.45 |124.45 |124.45 |124.45
178 |127.42 |125.08 |125.08 |125.08 |125.08 |125.08 |125.08
179 |127.95 |125.71 |125.71 |125.71 |125.71 |125.71 |125.71
180 |128.48 |126.34 |126.34 |126.34 |126.34 |126.34 |126.34
181 |129.02 |126.97 |126.97 |126.97 |126.97 |126.97 |126.97
182 |129.55 |127.60 |127.60 |127.60 |127.60 |127.60 |127.60
183 |130.09 |128.24 |128.24 |128.24 |128.24 |128.24 |128.24
184 |130.65 |128.90 |128.90 |128.90 |128.90 |128.90 |128.90
185 |131.21 |129.56 |129.56 |129.56 |129.56 |129.56 |129.56
186 |131.77 |130.22 |130.22 |130.22 |130.22 |130.22 |130.22
187 |132.33 |130.88 |130.88 |130.88 |130.88 |130.88 |130.88
188 |132.99 |- |- |- |- |- |-
189 |133.32 |- |- |- |- |- |-
190 |133.65 |- |- |- |- |- |-
<1> Current Housing Benefit taper.
Column 557
Single person
aged 25 or over
Gross earnings Net income after
payment of tax,
national insurance
and deductions of
Housing Benefit and
Community Charge
Benefit
Tapers
|50 per cent. |55 per cent. |60 per cent. |<1>65 per cent.|70 per cent. |75 per cent. |80 per cent.
£ |£ |£ |£ |£ |£ |£ |£
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 |38.95 |38.95 |38.95 |38.95 |38.95 |38.95 |38.95
41 |39.95 |39.95 |39.95 |39.95 |39.95 |39.95 |39.95
42 |40.95 |40.95 |40.95 |40.95 |40.95 |40.95 |40.95
43 |41.95 |41.95 |41.95 |41.95 |41.95 |41.95 |41.95
44 |42.95 |42.95 |42.95 |42.95 |42.95 |42.95 |42.95
45 |43.95 |43.95 |43.95 |43.95 |43.95 |43.95 |43.95
46 |44.95 |44.95 |44.95 |44.95 |44.95 |44.95 |44.95
47 |45.95 |45.95 |45.95 |45.95 |45.95 |45.95 |45.95
48 |46.59 |46.56 |46.53 |46.50 |46.48 |46.45 |46.42
49 |46.94 |46.86 |46.78 |46.70 |46.63 |46.55 |46.47
50 |47.29 |47.16 |47.03 |46.90 |46.78 |46.65 |46.52
51 |47.64 |47.46 |47.28 |47.10 |46.93 |46.75 |46.57
52 |47.99 |47.76 |47.53 |47.30 |47.08 |46.85 |46.62
53 |48.34 |48.06 |47.78 |47.50 |47.23 |46.95 |46.67
54 |48.32 |48.04 |47.77 |47.49 |47.22 |46.95 |46.67
55 |48.63 |48.31 |47.99 |47.67 |47.35 |47.04 |46.72
56 |48.95 |48.58 |48.22 |47.85 |47.49 |47.12 |46.76
57 |49.27 |48.86 |48.45 |48.04 |47.63 |47.22 |46.81
58 |49.59 |49.13 |48.67 |48.22 |47.76 |47.31 |46.85
59 |49.90 |49.40 |48.90 |48.40 |47.90 |47.40 |46.89
60 |50.23 |49.68 |49.13 |48.59 |48.04 |47.49 |46.95
61 |50.54 |49.95 |49.36 |48.76 |48.17 |47.58 |46.99
62 |50.86 |50.22 |49.58 |48.94 |48.31 |47.67 |47.03
63 |51.18 |50.50 |49.81 |49.13 |48.45 |47.77 |47.08
64 |51.50 |50.77 |50.04 |49.31 |48.58 |47.85 |47.12
65 |51.81 |51.04 |50.26 |49.49 |48.71 |47.94 |47.17
66 |52.14 |51.32 |50.50 |49.68 |48.86 |48.04 |47.22
67 |52.40 |51.54 |50.68 |49.82 |48.97 |48.11 |47.25
68 |52.65 |51.76 |50.86 |49.97 |49.08 |48.19 |47.29
69 |52.90 |52.97 |51.04 |50.11 |49.18 |48.25 |47.32
70 |53.14 |52.18 |51.21 |50.25 |49.28 |48.32 |47.36
71 |53.40 |52.40 |51.40 |50.40 |49.40 |48.40 |47.40
72 |53.64 |52.61 |51.57 |50.54 |49.50 |48.47 |47.43
73 |53.89 |52.81 |51.74 |50.67 |49.60 |48.53 |47.46
74 |54.14 |53.03 |51.93 |50.82 |49.72 |48.61 |47.50
75 |54.39 |53.24 |52.10 |50.96 |49.82 |48.68 |47.54
76 |54.64 |53.46 |52.29 |51.11 |49.93 |48.76 |47.58
77 |54.89 |53.67 |52.46 |51.25 |50.04 |48.82 |47.61
78 |55.13 |53.88 |52.63 |51.39 |50.14 |48.89 |47.64
79 |55.39 |54.10 |52.82 |51.53 |50.25 |48.97 |47.68
80 |55.63 |54.31 |52.99 |51.67 |50.35 |49.04 |47.72
81 |55.88 |54.52 |53.17 |51.81 |50.46 |49.10 |47.75
82 |56.13 |54.74 |53.35 |51.96 |50.57 |49.18 |47.79
83 |56.44 |55.01 |53.58 |52.16 |50.73 |49.31 |47.88
84 |56.79 |55.33 |53.87 |52.41 |50.95 |49.49 |48.02
85 |57.15 |55.65 |54.15 |52.66 |51.16 |49.66 |48.17
86 |57.50 |55.97 |54.44 |52.90 |51.37 |49.84 |48.31
87 |57.86 |56.29 |54.72 |53.15 |51.59 |50.02 |-
88 |58.21 |56.61 |55.00 |53.40 |51.80 |50.20 |-
89 |58.57 |56.93 |55.29 |53.65 |52.01 |50.37 |-
90 |58.92 |57.25 |55.57 |53.90 |52.22 |- |-
91 |59.28 |57.57 |55.86 |54.15 |52.44 |- |-
92 |59.63 |57.89 |56.14 |54.40 |52.65 |- |-
93 |59.99 |58.20 |56.42 |54.64 |52.86 |- |-
94 |60.34 |58.52 |56.71 |54.89 |- |- |-
95 |60.70 |58.84 |56.99 |55.14 |- |- |-
96 |61.05 |59.16 |57.28 |55.39 |- |- |-
97 |61.41 |59.48 |57.56 |55.64 |- |- |-
98 |61.76 |59.80 |57.84 |- |- |- |-
99 |62.12 |60.12 |58.13 |- |- |- |-
100 |62.47 |60.44 |58.41 |- |- |- |-
101 |62.83 |60.76 |58.70 |- |- |- |-
102 |63.18 |61.08 |- |- |- |- |-
103 |63.54 |61.40 |- |- |- |- |-
104 |63.89 |61.72 |- |- |- |-
105 |64.24 |62.04 |- |- |- |- |-
106 |64.57 |62.33 |- |- |- |- |-
107 |64.90 |62.63 |- |- |- |- |-
108 |65.23 |- |- |- |- |- |-
109 |65.56 |- |- |- |- |- |-
110 |65.89 |- |- |- |- |- |-
111 |66.22 |- |- |- |- |- |-
112 |66.55 |- |- |- |- |- |-
113 |66.88 |- |- |- |- |- |-
<1> Represents current Housing Benefit taper
Asylum
Mr. Allen : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what provision exists for financially assisting those seeking political asylum in the period between entry
Column 560
and the receipt by his Department of the standard acknowledgement letter proving identity ; and if he will make a statement.Column 561
Mr. Burt : Income support is available to asylum seekers under the urgent cases rules from the date of their claim until their immigration status has been determined by the Home Office.
Cold Weather Payments
Mr. Geoffrey Robinson : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to speed up the delivery of cold weather payments this winter ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Scott : No such plans are necessary as delays are already at a minimum. Last year's improvements to the cold weather payments scheme introduced automatic payments without the need to claim. As a result girocheques are posted on average within 11 days of a period of cold weather being declared, which is a considerable improvement on any previous scheme.
Early Retirement Pensions
Mr. Cousins : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ask the Occupational Pensions Board to review the imposition of early retirement reductions in many pension schemes.
Miss Widdecombe : No. It is a well-established principle that a member of an occupational pension scheme who retires before the scheme's normal retirement age usually receives a reduced pension. The amount of any reduction, which is calculated on an actuarial basis, is determined according to the rules of the scheme.
Community Care Grants
Mr. Austin-Walker : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if community care grants from the social fund are payable to help people without furniture or cooking facilities who are being rehoused from local authority temporary accommodation for the homeless.
Mr. Scott : Yes. People in these circumstances may receive a community care grant ; but, as with all applications to the social fund, it is for the social fund officer to decide whether a payment can be made after taking account of all the factors in each case.
HEALTH
Health Inequalities
Ms. Primarolo : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made, and what specific measures have been taken to reach the World Health Organisation's target of a 25 per cent. reduction in health inequalities by the year 2000.
Dr. Mawhinney : The "Health of the Nation" Green Paper--Cm. 1523, appendix 1--reviewed progress towards the World Health Organisation "Health for All" targets. As illustrated in the subsequent White Paper--Cm. 1986-- the Government have taken and are taking a wide variety of measures to continue the improvements in health that have been achieved across the board, and particularly to focus on people at greater risk.
Column 562
Benzodiazepines
Ms. Lynne : To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) residential and (b) day centres have been set up over the past year to help people withdraw from benzodiazepines.
Dr. Mawhinney : This information is not held centrally.
Hospital Beds
Mr. John Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds are bed-blocked at each of the general hospitals in London.
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