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Sir Hector Monro: As at present, HM industrial pollution inspectorate and HM nuclear installations inspectorate, in co-operation with the UK Atomic Energy Authority, will be working to ensure that all actions related to radioactive waste and its disposal are carried out in accordance with modern standards.
All the waste metallic particles found near Dounreay were detected as a result of regular beach monitoring carried out by the UK Atomic Energy Authority and a history of the finding of the particles is contained in the joint report by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment and the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee.
The main recommendations of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee on this matter fall to be considered by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, in co-operation with the regulatory authorities. The Secretary of State will consider the question of how
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progress on decontamination is to be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the on-going discussions between the operators and the regulatory authorities.Glasgow City Council Elections
Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if anyone is to be prosecuted as a result of the alleged breach of electoral law relating to the submission of nominations in the Bridgeton ward of Glasgow city council for the elections held on 6 April 1995; and if he will make a statement. [32023]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: Crown Counsel has instructed the procurator fiscal to take summary proceedings in Glasgow sheriff court in connection with alleged contraventions of section 65 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. One of the alleged contraventions relates to the Bridgeton ward of the city of Glasgow.
Schoolgirls (Computing Subjects)
Mrs. Fyfe: To ask the secretary of State for Scotland how many girls in S5 and S6 studied computing subjects in education authority schools; and what percentage this was of the total number of S5 and S6 pupils in (a) 1989, (b) 1991 and (c) 1993; and if he will make a statement. [30860]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The number and percentage of girls studying computing subjects in S5 and S6 in education authority secondary schools in 1989, 1991 and 1993 are as follows:
|Number in |Percentage of
Year |S5/S6 |S5/S6
--------------------------------------------------------
1989 |4,933 |7.8
1991 |5,172 |8.0
1993 |<1>5,157 |7.8
<1>In the figures for 1993 information was not
available for two schools.
The figures do not include pupils studying computing subjects in short courses. In addition, many pupils study computing subjects in S3 and S4. Thus, the actual figure of girls studying computing subjects in education authority schools will be significantly higher than those numbers provided.
Rural Policy
Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the consultation process on rural policy in Scotland; which organisations he is consulting with; and when the White Paper will be published. [31892]
Sir Hector Monro: The current consultation on rural policy in Scotland has taken three main forms.
We sought the advice of the rural focus group--made up of representatives of the Central Scotland Countryside Trust, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Rural Forum, Scottish Agricultural college, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Homes, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Tourist Board, and chaired by the Scottish Office.
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We commissioned Rural Forum Scotland to convene a series of conferences and workshops to examine specific themes of relevance to the White Paper and these were held across Scotland in May and June. Almost 900 organisations and individuals were invited to submit ideas and comments and some have conducted their own conferences and surveys. So far, 112 responses have been received and these will be of considerable assistance in the development of the White Paper, which will be published in the autumn.Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Mr. Chisholm: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the proposed allocation of risks between the national health service and the private sector for the proposed new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh; and what are the public expenditure implications. [31994]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 30 June 1995]: The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh trust has yet to finalise details of the specification to be issued in September to its shortlisted tenderers. Therefore, details of proposed allocation of risks will not be available until that time. However, the trust will be seeking to transfer risk in the areas such as design, planning, construction, maintenance, equipment obsolescence, residual value of assets and performance in terms of quality support services. Until final details of risk transfer are available, the effect on public expenditure cannot be estimated.
Director, Information Directorate
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the recruitment of the director of his Department's information directorate; and what was her previous employment before joining the Scottish Office. [31362]
Mr. Lang [holding answer 29 June 1995]: The director of my Department's information directorate, Ms Elizabeth Drummond, was recruited in April 1992 following an open recruitment campaign. Ms Drummond's early career was spent with the Government Information Service. Immediately prior to joining the Scottish Office, she was employed by Westminster city council as head of public relations and publicity.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Electro-shock Weapons
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Attorney-General what action his Department has taken to follow up allegations made in January in relation to illegal and unauthorised production, export and arrangement of sale of electro-shock weapons and equipment; what legal action has been and is being undertaken in consequence of such investigations; and if he will make a statement. [32073]
The Attorney-General: The police responsible for the conduct of the investigation into possible offences arising out of allegations made January 1995 relating to electro-shock weapons have now submitted a report to the Crown Prosecution Service.
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As to the matters under investigation in Scotland, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 May 1995 by the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland at column 576 ) to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd). I understand that the position remains unaltered.Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 22 May, Official Report , column 452 , what progress is being made in the investigations into matters relating to British Aerospace and the export of electro-shock equipment. [32073]
The Attorney-General: The police have recently submitted a report to the Crown Prosecution Service which is at present being considered.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Child Benefit Claim Pack
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what channels are being used for the distribution of the leaflet "New Child Benefit Claim Paper: Can You Help"; and what factors underlay his choice of these channels. [31293]
Mr. Burt: The distribution of the child benefit claim pack is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Martyn Jones, dated 30 June 1995: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the channels being used to distribute the Child Benefit claim pack and the factors underlying the choice of these channels.
Three main outlets are being used for the distribution of the pack. First, they are readily available to the public from local Social Security offices. Secondly, they are distributed directly to new and expectant mothers by inclusion in a complimentary baby products package, known as a Bounty Pack, which reaches 97.5 per cent. of new mothers in the UK per year. Third, they are available on request direct from the Child Benefit Centre, Washington.
The factors which underlay the choice of these channels were cost effectiveness, accessibility and the ability to contact the correct customer group.
I hope you find this reply helpful.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for the year 1994 95 have been made in (a) South Yorkshire, (b) Humberside, (c) North Yorkshire and (d) West Yorkshire for industrial disablement benefit for emphysema and chronic bronchitis; how many have been successful; how many have been refused and what grounds; and what are the comparable figures for the previous year. [31095]
Mr. Hague: The administration of industrial injuries disablement benefit is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 June 1995: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about claims made for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit in respect of chronic bronchitis and emphysema in Yorkshire and Humberside in 1994 95.
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Information about the number of claims, their success rate and the number disallowed is not available in the exact format requested. This is because figures for the number of claims made since the end of the initial twelve month take-on period have been collected separately and in a slightly different format. The take-on period lasted from September 1993 to October 1994.The available information is shown in the enclosed tables. The information in the first three columns of Table 1 was collected at Area Directorate levels. The information in the last two columns was collected at the Disability Benefit Centre (DBC) in Leeds,
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which covers the Yorkshire and Humberside area of the country. Leeds DBC also dealt with the claims from some customers outside these areas.The information shown at Table 2 was collected at Area Directorate level and covers the six month period from October 1994 to March 1995. This table outlines successful claims and all three categories of disallowance; because of the 20 year rule, failure to meet the criteria for lung function loss or category 1
pneumoconiosis.
I hope you find this reply helpful.
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y
Table 1: September 1993-October 1994
Failed (reason)
|Cat. 1
Area |Claims |Successful |20 year rule |Lung test<1> |Cat. 1
|pneumoconiosis
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Yorkshire and Humberside |6,521 |773 |171 |6,551 |3,957
North and West Yorkshire |2,676 |420 |90
<1>These figures were collected by the Disability Benefits Centre (DBC) at Leeds. Leeds DBC also dealt with other areas
so the figures do not equate exactly.
Table 2: October 1994-March 1995
Failed (reason)
|Cat. 1
Area |Claims |Successful |20 year rule |Lung test |Cat. 1
|pneumoconiosis
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Yorkshire and Humberside |214 |33 |9 |127 |95
North and West Yorkshire |121 |21 |9 |59 |23
<1>These figures were collected by the Disability Benefits Centre (DBC) at Leeds. Leeds DBC also dealt with other areas
so the figures do not equate exactly.
All tables include claims received but not decided within the period.
Source: 100 per cent. count, figures are subject to amendment.
Housing Benefit
Mr. Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of families with children age 18 years or under claimed housing benefit or its equivalent in (i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire,
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(iii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iv) England in each since 1979. [31582]Mr. Roger Evans: Information is not available in the form requested. Available information is set out in the table:
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Housing Benefit-number of families with dependants aged 18 years or under
and as a percentage of all families with dependants aged 18 years or under
May 1990 May 1991 May 1992 May 1993
|Number |Number |Number |Number
Area |(000s) |Per cent.|(000s) |Per cent.|(000s) |Per cent.|(000s) |Per cent.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yorkshire and Humberside |76 |- |80 |- |110 |- |96 |-
England |747 |13.2 |846 |14.5 |1,035 |17.6 |1,098 |18.7
Source:
Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries with and without income support,
taken at the end of May for each year.
Family Expenditure Survey, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Notes:
1. The numbers given refer to the number of benefit units, which may be a single person with dependants or a
couple with dependants.
2. The numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand and the percentages to one decimal place.
3. Information on total families with dependants under 19 is not available regionally, therefore we are unable to
provide percentages for Yorkshire and Humberside.
4. Information on the number of families with dependants aged under 19 is not available prior to 1990 for housing
benefit.
5. Reliable information is not available for York or North Yorkshire.
May 1991
May 1992
May 1993
Area Number (000s) Per cent. Number (000s) Per cent. Number (000s) Per cent. Number (000s) Per cent.
Yorkshire and Humberside 76 -- 80 -- 110 -- 96 --
England 747 13.2 846 14.5 1,035 17.6 1,098 18.7
Source:
Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries with and without income support, taken at the end of May for each year.
Family Expenditure Survey, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Notes:
1. The numbers given refer to the number of benefit units, which may be a single person with dependants or a couple with dependants. 2. The numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand and the percentages to one decimal place.
3. Information on total families with dependants under 19 is not available regionally, therefore we are unable to provide percentages for Yorkshire and Humberside.
4. Information on the number of families with dependants aged under 19 is not available prior to 1990 for housing benefit. 5. Reliable information is not available for York or North Yorkshire.
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Pensioners' Capital
Mr. Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the average capital owned by individuals on retirement in the form of (a) home ownership and (b) non-pension savings. [31234]
Mr Arbuthnot: The information is not available.
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Personal Pensions
Mr. Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the expenditure in (a) 2010, (b) 2020 and (c) 2030 on (i) national insurance rebates paid to members of appropriate personal pension schemes and (ii) the additional national insurance rebate paid to members of appropriate
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personal pensions relative to that paid to members of contracted-out money purchase schemes. [31235]Mr. Arbuthnot: The table shows estimates for the expenditure in 2010, 2020 and 2030 on the national insurance rebate payable to members of appropriate personal pension schemes using assumptions consistent with those used for the report by the Government Actuary on the "Financial Provisions of the Bill on the National Insurance Fund", Cm 2714. The rebate rates quoted in that report are provisional and will be reviewed before age related rebates come into effect in April 1997.
It is not possible to provide a valid estimate of additional expenditure on the national insurance rebates paid to members of APPS compared to what would have been paid if they had received rebates designed for members of contracted-out money purchase schemes. This is because total numbers of people with APPS would be likely to reduce significantly in those circumstances. The rebates for APPS will be set at a higher level than those for COMPS to reflect higher levels of providers' expenses and the delay in payment by the DSS of a greater part of the rebate. If the rebate for APPS failed to reflect these factors, it would not generally be worthwhile for people to take out or for providers to offer APPS.
|Expenditure in £
|billion
Year |(1994-95 prices)
---------------------------------------------------
2010 |2.7
2020 |2.5
2030 |2.2
Young People
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people in Wales who left school at 16 years were subsequently in receipt of (a) severe hardship payments under income support provision and (b) other Benefits Agency payments, in each of the past 10 years for which figures are available. [31610]
Mr. Roger Evans: The information is not available.
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of young people who left care in each of the past five years for which figures are available are currently claiming benefits. [31618]
Mr. Evans: The information is not available.
Pensioners' Incomes
Mr. Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the percentage of pensioners who will have an income on retirement in (a) the most recent year, (b) 2010 and (c) 2020 which is (i) less than 25 per cent. of average earnings, (ii) less than 50 per cent. of average earnings, (iii) less than 75 per cent. of average earnings, (iv) equal to average earnings, (v) up to 25 per cent. more than average earnings, (vi) up to 50 per cent. more than average earnings and (vii) up to 75 per cent. more than average earnings. [31236]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The latest available information is for 1992 and is shown in the table. Forecasts of pensioners incomes at retirement for 2010 and 2020 are not available.
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Gross income of recently retired pensioner units as a proportion of average earnings Proportion of |Percentage average earnings ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (i) Less than 25 per cent. |5 (ii) Less than 50 per cent. |43 (iii) Less than 75 per cent. |70 (iv) 100 per cent. (average earnings) |n/a (v) Up to 125 per cent. |89 (vi) Up to 150 per cent. |93 (vii) Up to 175 per cent. |95 n/a = not available. Source: Family Expenditure Survey 1992. Employment Gazette, February 1995. Notes: 1. Average earnings are based on full time employees on adult rate in all industries and services for 1992. 2. Recently retired pensioner units are defined as single pensioner units and married couples where the individual or head of the household is less than five years over state pension age. 3. The proportion receiving precisely the same level of income as average earnings is not available.
Mr. Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the average pensioner income at retirement in (a) the most recent year, (b) 2010 and (c) 2020, expressed as a percentage of average earnings. [31237]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The latest available information is for 1992. These estimates show that recently retired pensioner units received an average gross income equivalent to 74 per cent. of average earnings. Forecasts of pensioners' incomes at retirement for 2010 and 2020 are not available.
Source:
Family Expenditure Survey 1992
Employment Gazette , February 1995.
Notes:
1. Average earnings are based on full time employees on adult rate in all industries and services for 1992.
2. Recently retired pensioner units are defined as single pensioner units and married couples where the individual or head of the household is less than five years over state pension age.
Home Responsibilities Protection
Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost by the year 2030 of replacing the special arrangement known as home responsibility protection with a credit for class 1 contributions for the same qualifying group; and on what basis he estimates this cost. [31932]
Mr. Arbuthnot: It is estimated by the Government Actuary's Department that replacing the special arrangements known as home responsibilities protection with a credit for class 1 contributions for the same qualifying group would cost £150 million by the year 2030.
State Earnings-related Pension
Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost by the year 2030 of calculating entitlement to benefits under the state earnings-related pension scheme if a disregard was introduced for the final five years of earnings, but only if this disregard does not diminish the SERPS payment; and on what basis he estimates this cost. [31936]
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Mr. Arbuthnot: The annual cost by the year 2030 of calculating entitlement to SERPS if a disregard was introduced for the final five years of earnings; and the denominator in calculating SERPS is also reduced by 5, is estimated to be about £2 billion in 2030 31. Notes:
1. The cost is in 1994 95 prices and is the estimated increase in Retirement Pension expenditure.
2. This estimate is consistent with the figures in the Government Actuary's Report on the Pensions Bill 1994 and in the Government Actuary's Quinquennial Review on the National Insurance Fund. 3. This assumes that the increase in SERPS entitlement would apply equally to contracted-out and not contracted-out individuals. 4. This assumes SERPS accrues up to the financial year prior to reaching age 60 at an accrual rate of 20/44 per cent. rather than at a rate of 20/49 per cent. up to the year before reaching age 65.
Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost by the
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year 2050 of calculating entitlement to benefits under the state earnings-related pensions scheme on the best 39 years of earnings; and on what basis he estimates this cost. [31935]Mr. Arbuthnot: The estimated cost is £5 billion.
Notes:
1. The cost is in 1994 95 prices and is the estimated total increase in retirement pension expenditure.
2. This estimate assumes that the best 39 year rule would apply equally to contracted-in and contracted-out earnings.
3. This estimate is consistent with the assumptions and projections in the Government Actuary's report on the Pensions Bill 1994.
Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many (a) men and (b) women are in receipt of state earnings-related pension (i) who earn more than £10,000 per year, and (ii) who earn more than £20,000 per year. [32005]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The information is in the table.
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~
Thousands
Contracted-in Mixed
only contracted-in/contracted-out
Reckonable earnings |Men |Women |Men |Women
in 1992-93
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
£10,000 per year and over |1,287 |485 |370 |218
£20,000 per year and over |211 |33 |88 |32
Source:
1 per cent. sample from National Insurance Recording System.
Mixed contracted-in/contracted-out
Reckonable earnings in 1992 93 Men Women Men Women
£10,000 per year and over 1,287 485 370 218
£20,000 per year and over 211 33 88 32
Source:
1 per cent. sample from National Insurance Recording System.
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