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milligrams per kilogram body weight per day. It advised that provided intakes do not regularly exceed this ADI, saccharin is safe to use. In comparison, when the committee recently reported on its review of comfrey and preparations made from it, it advised that it was not possible to identify an ADI for comfrey nor for its pyrrolizidine alkaloid constituents, some of which research studies have shown to be potentially carcinogenic. The committee therefore recommended that concentrated forms of comfrey such as capsules and tablets should no longer be available.Copies of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's analysis of comfrey products, the advice of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment and the Food Advisory Committee together with the draft information note are available in the Library. A list of key studies considered by the committee are included in its advice.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Student Nurses
Mr. John D. Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are in training as student nurses ; how many of them come from the Republic of Ireland ; and if he will make a statement about job prospects in the nursing profession.
Mr. Hanley : At 19 April there were 2,624 student nurses in training in Northern Ireland of whom 264 came from the Irish Republic.
In recent years the nursing workforce in Northern Ireland has stabilised, in part due to to the nurse clinical grading system introduced in April 1988. This improved retention of staff has reduced the employment opportunities for nurses completing their training. Changes in patterns of service and proposals for rationalisation of services will impact on nurse employment in the future. However, until discussions are completed and decisions are taken by the health boards and trusts, it is not possible to assess accurately the scale of change. The management executive of the Department of Health and Social Services is monitoring the situation carefully and is currently discussing with the National Board for Nursing and Midwifery and health boards future requirements for student nurse training.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Severe Hardship Payments
Mr. Dewar : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Department plans to announce the outcome of its review of simplifying procedures for claiming severe hardship payments.
Mr. Burt : We are keeping the subject under active consideration.
Social Fund
Mr. Dewar : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Department plans to respond to the social policy research unit's research on the social fund.
Mr. Scott : We are currently carefully considering the operation of the social fund in response to the research
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commissioned from York university's social policy research unit, along with a number of other reports and our own close monitoring of the fund.Ms Estelle Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, in respect of the Birmingham south-east district office social fund budget, (a) how many people were refused community care grants, budgeting loans and crisis loans in 1992-93, (b) how many people were refused each payment on priority grounds, (c) by what amount the grants and loans were underspent, (d) why social fund officers did not use their powers under Direction 31 to review the decisions of some of those previously refused to prevent the underspend and (e) what steps will be taken to prevent an underspend in the future.
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 and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Ms Estelle Morris, dated 22 April 1993.
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the operation of the Social Fund at Birmingham South East District.
Information on the number and reason for refusals of Social Fund applications is held by application, rather than by applicant. Details of the number of refusals and the number refused on grounds of insufficient priority in the financial year 1992-93 for Birmingham South East District are given in Annex A.
Area Social Fund Officers (ASFOs) are obliged by Direction 41 to manage their District's allocations so that the planned level of expenditure is not exceeded in the financial year. In addition, they aim to meet consistently the highest priority needs throughout the year. ASFOs closely monitor expenditure throughout the year to ensure that any underspending of the District budget is kept to a minimum. These are standing arrangements which will continue. The outstanding allocation in the Birmingham South East District at 31 March 1993 was £11,028 for loans and £12,012 for grants. These figures represent 1.4 per cent. of the gross Social Fund allocation for the District. The number of decisions reviewed by Social Fund Officers (SFOs) under Direction 31 is not collated as a matter of routine. It is, however, known that no such reviews were undertaken in Birmingham South East District during March 1993 when, under the standing arrangements mentioned above, the ASFOs were monitoring claims intake and priorities closely with the aim of achieving a total Social Fund spend as close as possible to the annual budget figure.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report. A copy will also be placed in the Library.
=
Annex A
Birmingham South East District-1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993
|BL<1> |CL<2> |CCG<3>
-------------------------------------------------------------
Total number of refusals |2,344 |85 |4,169
Refusals (insufficient priority) |853 |3 |296
<1> BL = Budgeting Loan.
<2> CL = Crisis Loan.
<3> CCG = Community Care Grant.
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Mrs. Sylvia Marin
Mr. Robert B. Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects a decision to be reached in the case of Mrs. Sylvia Marin's application for disability living allowance (ZM 706889C).
Miss Widdecombe : The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write shortly to my hon. Friend and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Robert B. Jones dated 2 April 1993.
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard to answer questions about relevant operational matters. However, as Mr. Bichard is away at the moment I am replying on his behalf to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about when a decision is expected to be reached in the case of Mrs. Sylvia Marin's application for Disability Living Allowance.
Mrs. Marin's case is at present being reviewed by the Adjudication Officer and the outcome will be notified to Mrs. Marin as soon as possible. I have written to you further and in greater detail about this matter.
I am grateful to you for bringing this mater to my attention. I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.
Automatic Credit Transfer
Mr. Cousins : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what expansion of the number of benefits paid by automatic credit transfer is assumed in his Department's planning.
Miss Widdecombe : The method of payment of Social Security benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 1 April 1993. As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard to answer questions about relevant operational matters. However, as Mr. Bichard is away at the moment I am replying on his behalf to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking what expansion of the number of benefits paid by automated credit transfer is assumed in his Department's planning.
By the end of 1994 enhanced computer systems will enable payments to be made by ACT for Income Support, Invalidity Benefit, Sickness Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Unemployment Benefit in addition to those benefits already paid by this method.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.
Local Offices
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what reasons underlay the decision by the district manager of the north Gwent and Brecon area to reduce the Abertillery office from its current full status to that of a caller office ;
(2) what provision will be made in the new arrangements for the Abertillery benefits office to allow
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customers to receive emergency payments on the loss or destruction of order books and benefits cheques, or on their failure to arrive by post ;(3) if he will extend beyond 30 April the consultation period for trade unions to reply to the plans to change the status of the Abertillery benefits office ;
(4) what was the most recent efficiency ranking awarded to the Abertillery benefits office before the league tables on operational efficiency of benefits offices ceased to be compiled ;
(5) what arrangements he will make for the transport of benefit claimants to the Ebbw Vale benefits office from Abertillery on the change of status of the Abertillery office from a full processing office to a caller office.
Mr. Burt : The operation of benefit offices 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 a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from David Riggs to Mr. Llew Smith, dated 2 April 1993 : As Chief Executive of the Benefits agency it is the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard to answer questions about relevant operational matters. However, as Mr. Bichard is away at the moment I am replying on his behalf to your five recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security, concerning the proposed new arrangements for the Abertillery Benefits Agency Office.
The intended reorganisation of the Abertillery office has been devised in order to further enhance the level of service provided for customers. The proposed changes would enable the District to further improve the speed and quality at which claims and payments are processed.
The report containing the proposals to change the status of the Benefits Agency's Abertillery office was circulated on 19 March for consultation and comment before decisions are taken. A deadline of 30 April has been set for responses from all interested parties and is regarded as reasonable.
The Abertillery office will continue to provide the full range of personal advice and information to customers, regardless of its status. Should the reorganisation take place as envisaged, facilities for dealing with customers in urgent need, for example those requiring emergency payments on the loss or destruction of order books and benefits cheques, or on their failure to arrive by post, would remain unchanged. For these reasons it would not be necessary for customers to visit the Benefits Agency's Ebbw Vale office to obtain a comprehensive service.
An overall efficiency league table has never been maintained for local offices.
I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official report and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Income Support
Mrs. Dunwoody : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Department intends to review the present levels of income support.
Mr. Burt : Income support is reviewed annually. The next uprating is due in April 1994. Details will be announced in the autumn.
Terrence Higgins Trust
Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the answer from the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People of 24 February, Official Report, column 619, on his reply to a letter sent to him by the Terrence Higgins Trust on 4 February, if he will now give the date of his reply to the trust.
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Mr. Scott : A reply was sent on 22 April.
Overlapping Benefits
Mr. Frank Field : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the operation of the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations 1979, particularly in respect of the legislation giving entitlement to the higher pensioner premium ; and whether it is proposed that the effect of the Overlapping Benefits Regulations should be disregarded for the purposes of assessing whether a qualifying benefit is paid.
Mr. Burt : We have no plans to review the relationship between the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations 1979 and entitlement to income support premiums. For the purposes of maintaining entitlement to the higher pensioner premium, in common with other premiums, a person can be treated as being in receipt of any benefit which would be payable if it were not for the provisions of the overlapping benefits regulations.
Anti-discrimination Directive
Mr. Frank Field : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to introduce common rules for men and women in respect of non-contributory benefits so as to comply with EC directive 79/7 ;
(2) what plans he has to review the forms of discrimination currently existing within the social security system, particularly those linked to different pensionable ages, so as to comply with EC directive 79/7 ;
(3) what plans he has following the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Communities in the case of R v. Secretary of State for Social Security and Thomas et al (Case C-328/91) to review which forms of discrimination are not necessarily and objectively linked to the differences in retirement age and, therefore, not covered by the exceptions listed in article 7(1) of the directive ;
(4) what plans he has to change the rules relating to men and women's rights to defer entitlement to a retirement pension so that there is no discrimination between the sexes so as to comply with EC directive 79/7.
Miss Widdecombe : Directive 79/7 permits unequal state pension ages. The European Court, in case C9/91, confirmed that where different pension ages are maintained under article 7(1) of EC directive 79/7, other forms of discrimination in the benefits system are also permissible if they are necessarily linked to that difference. This would include the rules on deferring entitlement to a retirement pension.
The application of the various derogations in article 7 of the directive is regularly reviewed in the light of developments, including the rulings of the European Court.
Case C328/91 has been referred by the European Court back to the House of Lords for final determination. We propose to consider that particular matter further when the result becomes available.
Working Population
Dr. Liam Fox : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are in full-time employment for each recipient of state pension ; and what predictions have been made of these numbers for 1995 and every fifth year thereafter.
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Miss Widdecombe : The information is not available in the form requested. The latest estimates of the future numbers of basic retirement pensioners and people paying national insurance contributions are in the table.
Year |Number of |Number of pensioners|Ratio
|contributors |(thousands)<2>
|(thousands)<1>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990-91 |21,650 |10,460 |2.1
1995-96 |22,800 |10,700 |2.1
2000-01 |23,280 |10,940 |2.1
2010-11 |24,030 |12,070 |2.0
2020-21 |24,260 |13,410 |1.8
2030-31 |23,690 |15,190 |1.6
<1> Based on the assumption that the lower earnings limit for payment of contributions is increased in
line with prices.
<2> Based on current state pension ages.
Source: Tables 10 and 12, National Insurance Fund Long Term Financial Estimates-Report by the Government
Actuary on the Second Quinquennial Review under Section 137 of the Social Security Act 1975-25 July
1990-582.
Notes: The figures do not incorporate the latest Office of Population Census and Surveys population
projections.
DEFENCE
Faldingworth Range
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what countries had the use of Faldingworth range for training their gun crews between 1980 and 1989.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : Faldingworth is a former RAF station. Following its closure, the site was sold to the British Manufacturing and Research Company in January 1975. I understand it is now owned by Royal Ordnance plc.
Astra plc
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to return papers removed from Astra plc to the DTI inspectors ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Aitken : The Ministry of Defence police took possession of a number of papers from Astra plc in connection with an inquiry into possible corruption. In the event the MDP were unable to pursue this matter to a conclusion. They subseqently wrote to Cork Gully, the company receivers, who are now the legal owners of these papers, listing what is held and seeking advice on its disposal. DTI inspectors never had possession of these papers although they were allowed access to them by and in the presence of the MDP in pursuance of their own separate investigations.
PRB, Belgium
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the products which his Department purchased from PRB of Belgium from 1983 to 1990 ; and if he will list the value of such purchases in each of those years.
Mr. Aitken : Complete records of MOD dealings with companies during the whole of the period covered by the hon. Gentleman's question are no longer available. However, one contract with PRB has been identified, placed in 1984, for artillery shells for training purposes. The value of the contract was approximately £600,000.
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Stonefish Mine
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Government gave consent to the transfer of the plans for the Stonefish mine to a Chilean arms manufacturer ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Aitken : It has been the policy of successive Governments not to give details of such matters, as they are governed by commercial confidentiality.
IMS
Mr. Rogers : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those banks and financial institutions recognised as acceptable sources of finance for deals arranged by IMS between 1980 and 1989.
Mr. Aitken : The information requested is not held by the Ministry of Defence, and is a commercially confidential matter for IMS. IMS publishes its accounts for public scrutiny in accordance with the requirements of company law. The company ceased trading with effect from July 1991 and is in the process of rundown.
Helicopter Carrier
Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter), of 29 March, Official Report , column 16, whether he has now received full clarification from the tenderers of their bids for the amphibious helicopter carrier ; when he expects his Department to complete the evaluation of bids ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Aitken : We received full clarification of bids from the tenderers yesterday. The evaluation of these final bids will be completed this summer and we expect to award the contract later in the year.
Yugoslavia
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the expenditure by his Department in financial year 1992-93 on military operations in former Yugoslavia, distinguishing between forces in Croatia under UNPROFOR I, those in Croatia and Bosnia under UNPROFOR II, and operations afloat in the Adriatic ; how much of each such item of expediture has been or will be reimbursed to his Department by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ; whether the costs of British forces in UNPROFOR II are now reimbursed by the United Nations ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The extra cost of operations for UNPROFOR in Croatia and Bosnia is assessed at £606,000 and £63,700,000 respectively for the financial year 1992-93. The additional cost of opfence budget. From 1 April 1993, the United Nations has accepted financial responsibility for operations in Bosnia and reimbursement will be sought to the maximum extent possible.
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Tornados
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the estimated original and running costs of the deployment of seven F3 Tornados from RAF Leeming to Italy ; from which budget these will be met ; how many ground crew have been deployed, categorised as appropriate ; what ground support will be made available by the Italian Air Force ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The RAF has deployed six Tornado and two VC-10 tanker aircraft. The additional annual operating cost of these aircraft, which is borne against the Defence budget, is currently assessed as some £20,000,000. As at 21 April, there were 227 ground personnel, but this figure can change from day to day. Italian and other allied forces are providing a wide range of ground support, mostly under NATO arrangements. This, too, varies with requirements.
Exercise Quicksaver
Mr. Ainger : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the recent Quicksaver exercise at RAF Lossiemouth ; and what it revealed about the cost of providing a civilian search and rescue service.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The Quicksaver exercise conducted in 1987 was a review of the engineering manning levels in support of search and rescue flights. No direct cost comparison was made with the provision of a civilian SAR flight.
RAF Brawdy
Mr. Ainger : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a detailed breakdown of the estimated operatoring costs of B flight 202 squadron at RAF Brawdy in 1992-93.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The detailed breakdown requested is as follows :
|£ million
---------------------------------------------
Manpower Costs |1.30
Station Support Costs |0.04
Aircraft operating Costs |1.20
|--
Total |2.54
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Non-proliferation Treaty
Mr. Hutton : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss security guarantees at the meeting of the preparatory committee for the non-proliferation treaty extension conference to be held in New York in May ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : Non-nuclear weapon states which are parties to the non-proliferation treaty benefit from positive and negative British security guarantees. In our view, the first preparatory committee for the non-proliferation treaty extension conference should concentrate on procedural matters. We have no plans to discuss security guarantees at that meeting.
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Macedonia
Mr. Fry : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will now recognise the former province of Yugoslavia, Macedonia.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : We have already done so. The United Kingdom's support for an application for United Nations membership means that the United Kingdom recognises the applicant as a state. Macedonia's application was accepted by the General Assembly on 8 April.
Turkey
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is currently taking to ensure that the Turkish Government protects their Kurdish population.
Mr. Garel-Jones : We regularly raise with the Turkish authorities the human rights situation throughout Turkey, including the south-east of the country.
We welcome the recently improved security situation in south-east Turkey and the reported indefinite extension of the PKK, Kurdish Workers' Party, ceasefire. We also welcome Mr. Demirel's statement that the state of emergency in the south-east will not be extended beyond its expiry on 19 July provided that the present calm situation continues.
North Korea
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to ensure that representations are made to the Government of North Korea concerning the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : We have supported resolutions in the International Atomic Energy Agency. The co-depositaries of the non- proliferation treaty--Britain, the United States and Russia--issued a statement on 1 April calling on North Korea to reconsider its announcement to withdraw from the non-proliferation treaty and comply with its safeguards agreement. We fully supported the president of the Security Council's statement of 8 April which encouraged the International Atomic Energy Agency to continue to seek a settlement of the issue. The Twelve have issued statements and the Presidency, on behalf of the Twelve, has made representations to the Government of North Korea. We will remain active.
Armenia
Mr. Elletson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Republic of Armenia with regard to its military invasion and occupation of a large part of Azerbaijan.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : We have condemned the recent invasion by local Armenian forces of the Azerbaijani region of Kelbadjar and have called for the withdrawal of forces and an end to hostilities. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has written to the President of Armenia urging him to do everything in his power to bring about a
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ceasefire and to resume talks through the CSCE peace process. I also made our views known to the Armenian ambassador at a meeting on 6 April. The United Kingdom has also supported statements by the President of the United Nations Security Council on 6 April and the European Community on 7 April, both of which expressed concern at the escalation of fighting in Azerbaijan and called for an urgent ceasefire. Both statements also called for an early resumption of talks on the Nagorno -Karabakh conflict through the CSCE. We are glad to see that the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their commitment to these talks when they met for the first time in Ankara on 21 April.Bosnia
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral statement of 19 April, Official Report , column 22, if he will list the three vessels which have entered Montenegrin ports since November 1992, showing the countries of registration and ownership, the estimated cargo in each case and information available to him on the current whereabouts of the vessel ; if he will set out in respect of each vessel the actions taken by NATO or the Western European Union monitoring forces and the reason for their failure to divert the vessel ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : Since November 1992 the NATO and Western European Union ships in the Adriatic have challenged over 9,000 vessels, boarded 599 and diverted 137. The operation is making a most valuable contribution to efforts to block illegal trade to Serbia and Montenegro.
As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told the House on 19 April, a small number of vessels have managed to get through to Montenegrin ports. The three vessels he referred to are the Dimitrakis, a Maltese-flagged vessel believed to be carrying around 5,000 tonnes of petroleum coke, Novotsak II, a Greek-flagged tanker believed to be carrying over 20, 000 tonnes of oil, and the East River, a Greek-owned tanker believed to be carrying around 50,000 tonnes of gas oil. We also believe that there may have been a fourth in December, early on in the NATO/WEU operation. Since my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made his statement to the House, we have received information that a further three vessels may have got through. This information is being followed up urgently.
Sierra Leone
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the Government of Sierra Leone covering human rights ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : When my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development saw the Sierra Leone Foreign Minister on 23 March, she made clear our wish to see a major improvement in human rights in Sierra Leone and the establishment of a programme for the return of civilian rule.
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