| Previous Section | Home Page |
Mr. Burt: The information requested can be found in the Government Statistical Service publications "Tax Benefit Model Tables, April 1994" published on 21 July 1994, and "Additional Tax Benefit Model Tables, October 1994", published on 20 October 1994. Copies of both publications are in the Library.
Column 132
Benefits
Ms Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide figures for his Department's expenditure on income support, attendance allowance and disability living allowance for claimants with preserved rights between 31 March 1993 and 31 March 1994.
Mr. Roger Evans: Estimated quarterly expenditure on claimants who were receiving either income supply only or income support and attendance allowance/disability living allowance is as follows:
|£ million
----------------------------------
May 1993 |736
August 1993 |696
November 1993 |653
February 1994 |612
Separate data are not collected
on attendance allowance or
disability living allowance for
people in residential care and
nursing homes who are not also in
receipt of income support.
Source:
Income support quarterly
inquiries.
Ms Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people had preserved rights to the higher level of income support between 31 March 1993 and 31 March 1994.
Mr. Roger Evans: Information on income support for people in residential care and nursing homes is contained in the quarterly statistical inquiry based on sample data. The number with preserved rights are:
|Number
------------------------------
May 1993 |284,000
August 1993 |267,000
November 1993 |249,000
February 1994 |233,000
Source:
Income support quarterly
inquiries.
Ms Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has been spent by his Department on income support and attendance allowance or disability living allowance for new claimants in independent care homes since 31 March 1993.
Mr. Roger Evans: Information is not available in the form requested. Estimated total expenditure on claimants who were receiving either income support only or income support and attendance allowance/disability living allowance for the 12 months from May 1993 is £73 million.
Separate data are not collected on attendance allowance or disability living allowance for people in residential care and nursing homes who are not also in receipt of income support. Source:
Income support quarterly inquiries
Ms Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people claiming residential allowance were placed in (a) residential care homes and (b) nursing homes during each month from April 1993 to March 1994.
Column 133
Mr. Roger Evans: Information is not available in the form requested. The total numbers in receipt of residential allowance based on sample data are:
|Number
----------------------------
May 1993 |2,000
August 1993 |17,000
November 1993 |30,000
February 1994 |44,000
Source:
Income support quarterly
inquiries.
Information is not available split between residential care and nursing homes.
Ms Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of residential allowance were in independent residences or nursing homes on 31 March 1993.
Column 134
Mr. Roger Evans: Residential allowance was introduced on 1 April 1993. Most people who were in residential care and nursing homes on 31 March 1993 have preserved rights to the higher levels of income support and would not be entitled to residential allowance. Information is not available for those who subsequently claimed residential allowance because they do not have preserved rights to the higher levels of income support.
Ms Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for disability living allowance were (a) received and (b) approved between (i) March to October 1993, (ii) November 1993 to March 1994 and (iii) April 1994 to October 1994; and how many in each case were from people whose principal disability was (1) physical and (2) mental illness.
Mr. Hague: The information is not available in the format requested. The information available is in the tables.
Column 133
Table 1: Disability living allowance claims and awards
|March-October 1993 |November 1993-March|April-October 1994
|1994
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claims received |298,000 |174,000 |294,000
Awards made |155,000 |84,000 |136,000
Source:
100 per cent. count.
Table 2: First awards of disability living allowance by type of disability
|March-November 1993|December |March-November 1994
|1993-February 1994
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Physical |162,000 |48,000 |171,000
Mental |32,000 |9,000 |32,000
Sources:
5 per cent sample.
Analytical services division.
Notes:
1. The information in tables 1 and 2 is from different sources and is collated by different
periods.
2. Table 1-a claim may be received in one period but decided in another.
3. Table 2-figures are first awards arising from initial claims, reviews or appeals. The breakdown
of type of disability is made by reference to the main disabling condition recorded by the
adjudication officer initially deciding the claim.
Incapacity benefit
Mr. William O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what amount of benefit is payable to a recipient with no children at school and a wife under 60 years under the new incapacity benefit scheme.
Mr. Hague: The basic rate of incapacity benefit will be payable where there is no entitlement to a child dependency increase, or the person cannot be treated as entitled, and the spouse is under age 60.
For the first 28 weeks of sickness the basic rate is £44.40, from week 29 to week 52 it is £52.50, and from week 53 it is £58.85. People with a terminal illness, or who are receiving the highest rate of the care component of disability living allowance, will be able to get the long-term rate of £58.85 from week 29.
An age addition may be payable at one or two rates depending on the age of the person when his incapacity for work began. If his incapacity began before age 35, the age addition is £12.40. Where the incapacity began when aged 35 to 44, the age addition is £6.20. No age addition
Column 134
is payable if the person is aged 45 or over when the incapacity began.Note :
The rates given are subject to parliamentary approval.
Mr. William O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to uprate annually all benefits that claimants of the incapacity benefit may be entitled to; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Hague: Section 150 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 requires the Secretary of State to review annually the rates of incapacity benefit.
Mr. William O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the difference in the payments made to claimants under the invalidity benefit and the new incapacity benefits scheme for a person aged 30, 40 or 50 years where there is (a) and adult dependant under 60 years and (b) a dependant over 60 years.
Mr. Hague: The information is in the table. Some further assumptions have been made to support the examples, as explained in the notes.
Column 135
|Age 30|Age 40|Age 50
|£ |£ |£
---------------------------------------------------------
Invalidity benefit |106.50|101.90|98.00
Long-term incapacity benefit
Spouse under 60 |71.25 |65.05 |58.85
Spouse 60 + |106.50|100.30|94.10
Notes:
1. In the case of invalidity benefit, the spouse's age
is not a relevant factor.
2. Assumes spouse does not have earnings/occupational
pension in excess of relevant earnings limit and does
not receive a benefit in own right.
3. Assumes no earnings-related additional pension
payable with invalidity benefit.
4. In the case of incapacity benefit, an increase is
payable for a spouse aged 60 and for an adult dependant
if the claimant is entitled or treated as entitled to a
child dependancy increase, regardless of adult
dependant's age.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Training Courses
Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each training and tuition course with a total cost exceeding £5,000 paid for by (a) his Department and (b) his agencies during the last 12 months, showing the title and objectives of each course, the name of the organisations engaged, the total cost of each course, a summary of the responsibilities of staff members taking part and the process for course evaluation by the Department or agency.
Mr. Goodlad: The information in respect of both the diplomatic and aid wings of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is given in a list of six pages that is being deposited in the House Library. My agencies bought no training with a total cost in excess of £5,000.
French Foreign Policy
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the French Government in regard to the proliferation consequences of the sale of nuclear technology by France to the People's Republic of China.
Mr. David Davis: We are not aware of any sales of nuclear technology by France to China which could contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Council of Europe
Sir Russell Johnston: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will support the formal adoption of recommendation 1235 (1994) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe relating to psychiatry and human rights by the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Douglas Hogg: The United Kingdom and the other member states of the Council of Europe are studying recommendation 1235 of the Parliamentary
Column 136
Assembly. We will decide in due course whether we are able to support its adoption by the Committee of Ministers.Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the Russian Federation over the potential proliferation consequences of the decision of the Russian Government to rebuild the damaged nuclear power plant at Bushehr in Iran.
Mr. David Davis: We have expressed our concern to the Russians that their decision to rebuild the damaged nuclear power station at Bushehr could have proliferation consequences.
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what stipulations were set by the non-nuclear weapon state members of the European Union upon France, as President-in-office of the EU, in representing EU political opinion at the final preparatory committee meeting of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty review and extension conference in New York on 23 to 27 January.
Mr. David Davis: France, as current President of the EU, has been co -ordinating an EU statement on NPT extension for use at the NPT extension conference's fourth preparatory committee on 23 to 27 January. As with other intergovernmental exchanges of this kind, comments on EU draft statements are circulated in confidence. The final text will have to be acceptable to all EU member states.
Harjit Singh
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representations he has made to the Indian Government regarding the case of Harjit Singh.
Mr. Baldry: We have raised the case of Harjit Singh with the Indian Government on several occasions. We understand that a case of habeas corpus brought by Harjit Singh's father is still before the courts, although the proceedings are moving very slowly.
Departmental Employees
Mrs. Maddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employees for which his Department is responsible were women (a) in 1991, (b) in 1992, (c) in 1993 and (d) in 1994; and, of these, how many were (i) at grade 7 level, (ii) at grade 3 level, (iii) at executive officer level, (iv) at administrative officer level and (v) at administrative assistant level.
Mr. Goodlad: The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:
|1991 |1992 |1993 |1994
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Women |3,048 |3,061 |3,081 |3,029
|(98 P/T) |(115 P/T) |(154 P/T) |(152 P/T)
Grade 3 level |Figures not|5 |4 |5
| available
Grade 7 level |Figures not|113 |127 |135
|available |(2 P/T) |(7 P/T) |(11 P/T)
Executive Officer level |Figures not|791 |772 |794
|available |(14 P/T) |(30 P/T) |(37 P/T)
Administrative Officer level |Figures not|1,302 |1,293 |1,245
|available |(28 P/T) |(53 P/T) |(53 P/T)
Administrative Assistant level |Figures not|218 |207 |172
| available |(20 P/T) |(6 P/T)
Notes:
1. These figures cover all FCO grades including the DS and the ODA.
2. (P/T = Part-Time).
Trident
Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding his Department's assessment of the perception of overseas Governments of the recent deployment by Britain of the Trident nuclear system.
Mr. David Davis: Our NATO allies fully accept the United Kingdom's deployment of Trident as part of our and NATO's strategy of war prevention. It is not for us to comment on the perceptions of others.
Pakistan
Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Pakistan's anti- narcotics legislation, with particular reference to the law providing for the death sentence and forfeiture of property for those involved in drug trafficking.
Mr. Baldry: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 20 January, Official Report, column 746.
Peace Talks, Nairobi
Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the Government of Sudan that it should recognise and co-operate with the UN observer of the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development peace talks in Nairobi.
Mr. Douglas Hogg: It is for the IGADD states to decide whether they want the appointment of a UN observer to the peace process. Discussions between them and the Sudanese Government are continuing.
Croatia
Mr. Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Croatia in respect of Krajina and the future deployment of UNPROFOR in the region; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Douglas Hogg: I discussed the Croatian Government's position on the extension of UNPROFOR's
Column 138
mandate with Mr. Sanader, the Croatian deputy Foreign Minister, on 11 January. I made clear our deep concern and regret over this development, which puts at risk the prospect of finding a peaceful solution to the problems in the United Nations protected areas in Croatia. Along with our EU partners, we have called upon the Croatian Government to reconsider their decision.Drug Liaison Officers
Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the contribution drug liaison officers on attachment to British diplomatic posts overseas make to his Department's efforts to develop international co-operation against the illicit drug trade.
Mr. Baldry: British drug liaison officers, who are attached to diplomatic posts in a number of countries, play an important role in developing international co-operation in the fight against the global menace of the illicit drug trade. They are fully integrated into the work of the posts concerned, and carry out their duties in close co-operation with local law enforcement agencies.
In their work, these officers fully observe Home Office guidelines. These state that no police officer or public informant should counsel, incite or procure the commission of a crime and make it clear that an informant should be instructed that he must not act as agent provocateur.
Foreign Affairs Council
Mr. Elletson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Councils in November and December 1994.
Mr. David Davis: I attended the Foreign Affairs Councils in November and December.
The Council of 28 to 29 November covered the following subjects: On the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment, Mr. Delors introduced the main themes for the Essen European Council. He said that there would be two discussions, one focusing
Column 139
on White Paper themes generally, and the second on employment questions.Ministers agreed to release a first tranche of 15 mecu of the 35 mecu of EU macro-financial assistance to Albania. The release of the second tranche, 20 mecu, will depend on a favourable Commission report on progress in economic and political reform in Albania and a subsequent Council decision.
Foreign Ministers held discussions with Mr. Perez and Mr. Arafat and issued a statement which reaffirmed their determination to continue their support for the middle east peace process, both politically and economically.
Ministers reviewed preparations for the CSCE summit in Budapest--5 to 6 December.
The Commission introduced a support package of some 200 to 300 mecu for Northern Ireland.
The Council agreed to put forward for consideration at Essen the interim report of the Consultative Commission on Racism and Xenophoria.
Ministers discussed preparations for the interim conference on the EU's stability pact initiative to be held in the margins of the CSCE summit in Budapest.
A partnership and co-operation agreement between the EU and Moldova was signed on 28 November.
The Council approved a negotiating mandate for Europe agreements with Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
Ministers discussed the presidency's draft pre-accession strategy for the associated countries of central and eastern Europe. The text was agreed, apart from a passage on cumulation of rules of origin.
The Council discussed the Commission's communication on a strategy for strengthening the EU's political and economic links with the Mediterranean countries, in preparation for a further discussion at the Essen European Council.
Ministers reviewed prospects for the Association Council with Turkey on 19 December. The presidency underlined the importance of concluding negotiations on customs union at the Council.
The presidency reported on progress in the negotiations with Israel, Morocco and Tunisia. The agreement with Israel was close to conclusions, but the agreements with Morocco and Tunisia were delayed by unresolved questions on access for agricultural products to EU markets.
The Council approved a draft report, to be issued by the Essen European Council, on measures to tackle illicit trade in nuclear materials.
Ministers discussed a Commission proposal to provide balance of payments assistance to Ukraine.
The Council discussed the EU position for the ministerial conference on the mid-term review of the Lome convention, to be held in Brussels on 30 November and 1 December. Agreement was reached on a package of measures to be put to the ACP countries on the programming of aid.
The Council discussed progress in implementing the Uruguay round agreements. It reaffirmed the determination of the Community and the member states to ratify the agreements before 1 January 1995. Discussion of the Commission proposal for the Council to approve the OECD agreement on shipbuilding subsidies was postponed until 19 December.
On Rwanda, the Council called for the UN to give high priority to actions to stabilise the region. Ministers supported a regional refugee conference, and endorsed an immediate rehabilitation programme to the value of 67 mecu, agreed by the development council.
In a brief discussion of trade and the environment, the Commission confirmed it was preparing a Green Paper on the subject, and expected this to issue next year.
On relations with the European Parliament the Council noted progress on comitology and temporary committees of inquiry. There was a brief discussion over lunch about some member states' difficulties with the draft implementing provisions for the right to
Column 140
vote and stand in municipal elections of other member states--Article 8B1.At the Council of 19 to 20 December 1994, the following subjects were discussed:
The presidency listed items for action during the remainder of its tenure. M. Juppe highlighted five French presidency priorities. On relations with the European Parliament, the Council agreed texts on comitology, temporary committees of inquiry and consolidation of existing Community legislation. Denmark voted against the decision on TCIs. These texts were then adopted by the Commission and the EP at an inter institutional conference on 20 December.
The Council unanimously adopted a directive which implements the right of EU citizens to vote and stand in municipal elections in member states of which they are not nationals.
An association Council with Turkey was held in the margins. It was agreed that a further association council should be held early in the French presidency.
The EEA Council on 20 December reaffirmed its wish to strengthen the political dialogue on foreign policy with a view to developing closer relations in spheres of mutual interest. The Norwegians are now preparing proposals for a framework for political dialogue under the EEA which they will present to the French presidency.
There was a discussion on ways in which the peace process in the former Yugoslavia could be taken forward.
The Council agreed to discuss Russia during the French presidency on the basis of an options paper.
The Council agreed a new Community generalised system of preferences, to come into force on 1 January 1995. There were two votes. On the creation of a new scheme for industrial products the United Kingdom abstained, and set out its reasons in six statements for the minutes. The scheme passed by qualified majority. Renewal of the scheme for agricultural products was agreed unanimously; this scheme will be reviewed during 1995.
Agreement in principle was reached on the EU/Israel agreement. The agreement is now expected to be signed at the January FAC. There was no progress on the EU/Morocco and EU/Tunisia negotiations. Morocco has rejected the Commission's offer on access for tomatoes and courgettes. The question of Tunisian olive oil quotas remains unresolved.
The Council agreed to endorse the results of the Uruguay round, comprising the Marrakesh final act, the agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation, the ministerial declarations and decisions attached to it, the understanding on commitments in financial services, plurilateral agreements on bovine meat, dairy products, civil aircraft and Government procurement, and the bilateral EC agreements with Australia on coal and with Uruguay on bovine meat. The Council also agreed an accompanying package of EC implementing legislation. All the above texts were formally adopted by the Council of Ministers on 22 December. All the necessary processes have thus been completed to allow the Community to ratify the agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation: the instruments of ratification of the Community and the member states are expected to be deposited in Geneva on 30 December.
The Council received a progress report from the presidency on the three EU/United States working groups established at the July 1994 EU/United States summit. The groups' work covers central and eastern Europe, drugs and international crime, and the mechanisms for EU/United States political co operation.
The Council confirmed its negotiating directives, originally adopted in December 1991, for the Commission to negotiate a co operation agreement between Euratom and the United States. The new agreement is to replace the existing United States/Euratom agreements of 1958 and 1960, the second of which expires on 31 December 1995. The Council approved the OECD agreement on shipbuilding subsidies and authorised the Commission to sign the agreement. Signature took place in Paris on 21 December. The Council adopted a Commission proposal that the Commission and Council should make a joint declaration at the signing ceremony to the effect that
Column 141
they would monitor the implementation and respect of the agreement by all parties.The Council agreed the adjustments necessary to the EFTAn accession treaty following the non accession of Norway.
The chairman of the Consultative Commission on Racism and Xenophobia gave an oral report a progress. This was a follow up to the interim report of the Consultative Commission, which was presented to the Essen European Council. The consultative commission will submit its final report to the Cannes European Council, in June.
The Council approved concluding decisions allowing the entry into force of the Europe (association) agreements with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria and the free trade agreements with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Ministers approved in parallel implementing regulations governing the operation of the four Europe agreements.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Shipbuilding
Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the size of the shipbuilding industry in Northern Ireland in 1979; and what it is now.
| Next Section
| Home Page |