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Column 375
Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 2 November 1995
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Grants
Mr. Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what grant-giving funds his Department is responsible, requiring a private sector contribution, where the use of national lottery funds is not allowed to count towards that private sector portion. [38600]
Mr. Hanley: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my Friend the Minister of State, Department of National Heritage on 1 November 1995, Official Report , columns 186-87 .
Correspondence
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department will be in a position to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Oldham, West of 1 September following up a letter of 18 July concerning the case of Mohammed Nadeem, GV100/28257. [40731]
Mr. Hanley: The migration and visa correspondence unit replied to the hon. Member's letter of 1 September on 27 October. The delay in replying is regretted.
Cyprus
Mr. O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the names of those holders of British passports who went missing during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. [41178]
Mr. David Davis: We have no record of any single nationality British citizens still missing following events in Cyprus over the last 30 years. Under international law, British citizens with dual nationality are the responsibility of the country of their second nationality while in that country. The cases of dual nationals who went missing in Cyprus were submitted to the UN committee on missing persons by the Government of Cyprus. If there are dual nationals amongst those Cypriots known to be missing, they are not specifically listed as such.
Mr. O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take to ascertain the fate of those holders of British passports who went missing in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. [41176]
Mr. Davis: It is for the UN committee on missing persons to examine these cases. We have no locus to act for dual nationals in the country of their second nationality. The British High Commission in Nicosia remains in close touch with the committee and is ready to
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check with the committee that all cases of dual UK/Cyprus nationals brought to its attention are being examined.European Court Decisions
Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October 1995, Official Report , column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and if he will further indicate the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41207]
Mr. David Davis: The information requested will take some time to compile. I shall reply to the hon. Member shortly.
Zaire
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the alleged killings of peaceful protesters during a rally in Kinshasa, Zaire on 29 July. [40599]
Mr. Hanley: An unauthorised demonstration was held on 29 July in Kinshasa by the Unified Lumumbist party--PALU--close to the transitional Parliament buildings. Demonstrators clashed with the gendarmerie and, most regrettably, 10 people died: one gendarme and nine demonstrators.
Mr. Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information and representations he has received about the human rights situation in Zaire. [40598]
Mr. Hanley: Through the British embassy in Kinshasa we are in regular contact with a broad range of human rights organisations and political parties in Zaire. We receive information on a regular basis about human rights issues from non-governmental organisations, the press and political parties.
Mr. Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Zaire about protection of human rights in the country. [40600]
Mr. Hanley: We remain concerned at the human rights situation in Zaire. Through the British embassy in Kinshasa we keep in close touch with the Zairean authorities over the need to improve respect for human rights, including issues that affect refugees in the great lakes region.
PRIME MINISTER
Engagements
Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 2 November. [39339]
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Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 2 November. [39341]
Sir Michael Neubert: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 2 November. [38959]
The Prime Minister: This morning, I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.
Annual Remuneration
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Prime Minister if he will estimate the number of individuals in his (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non- departmental public bodies whose annual remuneration, including benefits in kind exceeded (i) £100,000, (ii) £200,000 and (iii) £300,000 in (1) 1985 86, (2) 1990 91, (3) 1992 93, (4) 1994 95 and (5) 1995 96. [40813]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 1 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 1 November, column 324.
Salaries
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Prime Minister what was the (a) lowest and (b) highest full-time salary paid to any employee in his (i) Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) non-departmental public bodies in (1) 1994 95 and (2) 1995 96. [40814]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 1 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 1 November, columns 324-25 .
SOCIAL SECURITY
Benefits Agency
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to public funds in respect of the Benefits Agency staff who travelled around Spain earlier this year explaining to resident United Kingdom citizens how to claim pensions and social security allowances; and if he will make a statement. [39051]
Mr. Roger Evans: This is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 1 November 1995:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the cost to public funds in respect of the Benefits Agency staff who travelled around Spain earlier this year explaining to resident United Kingdom citizens how to claim pensions and Social Security allowances.
A visit to Spain was made by Benefits Agency staff during the period 4 June 1995 to 8 June 1995. This was in response to requests from the British Consulate and customer representative
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organisations to provide sufficient information to them to better understand and answer enquiries from Benefits Agency customers living in, or visiting Spain. The cost of the visit was less than £4,000. I hope you find this reply helpful.Executive Agencies
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for (a) the financial year 1994 95 and (b) the estimated figures for the financial year 1995 96, for each executive agency for which he is responsible. [39560]
Mr. Burt: Estimated outturn for 1994 95 for civil service manpower and pay bill and manpower plans for 1995 96 are set out in the Department's annual report, Cm 2813, copies of which are in the Library.
A breakdown by grade and individual agency could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Statutory Maternity Pay
Mr. Kevin Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reduce the statutory maternity pay rebate. [40093]
Mr. Heald: Any proposed changes in the level of reimbursement of statutory maternity pay paid by employers would be announced and would require primary legislation.
Vaccine Damage Payments
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria are used by the vaccine damage payments unit to decide on the merits of claims and order of magnitude of payments arising from claims; and on what basis as to liability claims are made. [40273]
Mr. Burt: Vaccine damage payments are made by the Secretary of State under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 and associated regulations. The Act and regulations set out the conditions of entitlement, including medical and disability conditions, which must be satisfied before payment is made. Where a claim is successful a single tax-free payment of £30,000 is made. The payment is made without acceptance of liability and does not affect the claimant's right to seek compensation through the courts.
Housing Benefit
Mr. Chris Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list the total number of individuals claiming housing benefit in each of the past five years; [40688]
(2) if he will list the total sums of money paid in housing benefit in each of the past five years. [40686]
Mr. Roger Evans: The information is set out in the table.
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Housing benefit recipients and expenditure for Great Britain
|Recipients |Expenditure
Year |Thousands |Financial year|£ million
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1991 |4,030 |1991-92 |5,100
1992 |4,326 |1992-93 |6,375
1993 |4,533 |1993-94 |7,793
1994 |4,650 |1994-95 |9,193
1995 |4,734 |1995-96 |10,253
Notes:
1. Figures for number of recipients is taken from count made on last
working day of May for each of the given years. Figures refer to benefit
units which may be a single person or a couple.
2. Expenditure figures for 1995-96 are the estimated outturn. Figures for
other years are outturn.
3. Sources of data: Housing Benefit Management Information System and the
1995 departmental report.
Lone Parents
Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department is currently undertaking to investigate whether child maintenance payments set at too high a level can provide a work disincentive to some lone parents. [40316]
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: The Department has an on-going programme for evaluating the effects of child support. Research by the Policy Studies Institute has already established that over 90 per cent. of parents with care who are not working have past work experience, and that maintenance provides an important incentive for those who want to return to work.
Child Support Agency
Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the parents with care who cease benefit claims after the intervention of the Child Support Agency reapply within a six month period. [40317]
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: The information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he had in respect of the legal dispute between EDS and Computer Associates at the time of placing the Child Support Agency computer system with EDS. [40320]
Mr. Burt: The Secretary of State had no information about any legal dispute between EDS and Computer Associates at the time of placing the child support computer system with EDS.
Asylum Seekers
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many persons receiving (a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit he expects to lose their entitlement on 8 January 1996 as a result of the determination of a claim for asylum on or after 12 October 1995; and what would be the cost in 1996 97 of preserving that entitlement; [40612]
(2) how many persons receiving income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit, respectively, he expects to lose their entitlement on 8 January 1996 as a
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result of having claimed benefit as asylum seekers on or after 12 October 1995; and what would be the cost in 1996 97 of preserving that entitlement. [40625]Mr. Roger Evans [holding answer 31 October 1995]: It is estimated that following an asylum decision in the period after 12 October, some 7,000 existing asylum seekers who applied for benefits before that date may lose their entitlement when the regulations come into effect. The gross cost of preserving those entitlements during any appeals process in 1996 97 is estimated at £15 million. This does not allow for those who may have lost their entitlement under the previous regulations.
A further 6,000 in-country asylum seekers who are expected to claim benefit after 12 October may also lose their entitlement to benefits when the regulations come into effect. The gross cost of preserving those entitlements in 1996 97 is estimated at £30 million. This extra cost arising because their entitlements would have to be preserved during the initial decision making process as well as any appeals process.
Asylum seekers are separately identified only in the income support scheme. Approximately 55 per cent. of asylum seekers in receipt of income support are also in receipt of housing benefit. Some 15 per cent. are also in receipt of council tax benefit.
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which countries have been notified to him by the Home Secretary as having (a) before 12 October 1995 and (b) on or after 12 October 1995 undergone a significant upheaval; and how many asylum seekers from each of those countries have claimed income support since 12 October; [40626]
(2) if people claiming asylum while in Great Britain on or after 12 October 1995 as a result of a significant upheaval in their country of origin which occurred before 12 October will be treated as asylum seekers for purposes of entitlement to benefit. [40628]
Mr. Evans: I have not yet received notification of any upheaval list countries.
Motability
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Department will receive a report from the National Audit Office on Motability and Motability Finance Ltd. [40929]
Mr. Burt: The status and timing of the report from the National Audit Office on Motability is a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Earnings (Replacement Ratios)
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the current replacement ratio of (a) a single person, (b) a married couple, (c) a married couple with one child, (d) a married couple with two children and (e) a married couple with three children and jobs paying at (i) 25 per cent. of median wages, (ii) 50 per cent. of median wages, (iii) 60 per cent. of median wages, (iv) 75 per cent. of median wages, (v) 80 per cent. of median wages and (vi) 90 per cent of
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median wages. [41079]Mr. Roger Evans: The information is set out in the table. Replacement ratios show potential out-of-work income as a percentage of in- work income. It should be noted that the figures provided for couples assume that only one partner is in work. The replacement ratio is likely to be significantly lower if both partners are in work.
Changes made to the tax and national insurance systems and to the structure of income-related benefits since 1985 have led to a significant reduction in the
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numbers with very high replacement ratios of over 90 per cent. It is estimated that only a tiny proportion of the working population have replacement ratios of over 100 per cent.The new premium in family credit from July for those working 30 or more hours per week will further reduce the numbers with very high replacement ratios. In addition, a new in-work benefit aimed at couples and single people without children will be tested from October 1996 to examine its effects on increasing the gain from work, in the same way as family credit does now for families with children.
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Replacement ratios at various percentages of median earnings
Percentage of
median earnings
Family Type |25 per cent.|50 per cent.|60 per cent.|75 per cent.|80 per cent.|90 per cent.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single person |85 |52 |42 |33 |30 |27
Married couple |94 |79 |64 |50 |47 |41
Married couple with 1 child aged 3 |83 |80 |80 |68 |63 |56
Married couple with 2 children aged 4 and 6 |87 |86 |85 |79 |74 |65
Married couple with 3 children aged 3, 8 and 11 |91 |90 |88 |83 |82 |77
Notes:
<1> Figures have been rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.
<2> Median earnings are £323.20 gross per week, based on all males in full-time work at April 1995 (New Earnings Survey 1995).
<3> Replacement ratios shown are based on in work and out of work income after the payment of housing costs. Out of work income figures
used include the cash value of milk tokens and free school meals where appropriate.
<4> All family types shown are assumed to live in local authority accommodation and pay average rent, appropriate to family size, and
average council tax. Families with children are assumed to work for 30 or more hours per week and have no childcare costs.
<5> Married couple examples assume only one partner working. All examples assume no income other than earnings, income-related benefits
and, where appropriate, Child Benefit.
<6> All benefit rates used in the calculation of replacement ratios are for 1995-96.
Council Tax Benefit
Mr. Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the estimated cost of ending the capital and notional income testing rules for council tax benefit for retired people while retaining unchnged the present tests for actual income. [41035]
Mr. Roger Evans: The estimated cost of removing the lower and upper capital limits and the tariff income rule for pensioners is £340 million in council tax benefit. This assumes that actual income from capital would be taken into account.
Notes:
1. Although the question refers to retired people, it has been interpreted to refer to people over 60 years of age and living in the community. The cost for those in residential or nursing care is not applicable, as these are exempt from council tax.
2. Estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million.
3. The estimate is based on data from the 1991, 1992 and 1993 Family Expenditure Survey, adjusted to be consistent with reported data from the 1994 HBMIS dataset for council tax benefit.
4. All figures are uprated to 1995 96 prices and benefit levels. 5. Given the tenuous nature of the data and the methodology used to arrive at this estimate, the figure are broad order of magnitude as opposed to robust estimates.
Income Support
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the income support and housing benefit income of (a) a single person, (b) married couple, (c) married couple with one child, (d) married
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couple with two children and (e) married couple with three children assuming an average housing benefit payment. [41080]Mr. Roger Evans: The available information is provided in table 3.1 of the tax benefit model tables, a copy of which is in the Library.
European Court Decisions
Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the oral answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October, Official Report, column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and if he will further indicate the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41213]
Mr. Burt: I will write to the hon. Member shortly.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Temporary and Part-time Staff
Mr. Ian McCartney: To ask the Attorney-General how many staff are currently employed in his Department and in related agencies on (a) temporary or casual employment contracts and (b) part-time employment contracts, given as an actual figure and as a proportion of the total work- force; and what were the corresponding figures for five years ago. [41112]
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The Attorney-General: Breakdowns by Department and executive agency for 1 April 1995 of the number of permanent staff, the number of casual staff--normally those engaged for a period of up to 12 months, but exceptionally up to two years--and of the number of part-time staff are presented in the civil service staff in post summary table for 1 April 1995, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Estimates on a comparable basis for 1 April 1990 have also been placed in the Library of the House.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Asylum Seekers
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of which countries he expects, on the basis of the information at present available to him, to make a declaration on 8 January 1996 for the purposes of the Income Support (General) Regulations 1995 that they have undergone events likely to give rise to a well-founded fear of persecution among their nationals. [40627]
Mr. Kirkhope: We envisage that a declaration will be made only if a major upheaval occurs in a country. It is not proposed to make a declaration in respect of upheavals which have already taken place, since nationals of the country concerned who were present in the United Kingdom will have had adequate opportunity to claim asylum before 12 October. Under the draft regulations, the benefit entitlement of a person who claimed asylum before that date will be protected until a decision is taken on their claim.
National Lottery Charities Board
Mr. Hutton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 23 October 1995, Official Report , column 448 , if he will list (a) the consultants employed by the National Lottery Charities Board in the 14 months up to September 1995 and (b) the amounts paid to each firm. [39817]
Mr. Kirkhope [holding answer 26 October 1995]: This is a matter for the National Lottery Charities Board, on which the hon. Member may wish to contact the chief executive. The National Audit Office has full access to contract and payment details.
Mr. Hutton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 23 October 1995, Official Report , column 448 , if he will specify the travel costs claimed by each member of the National Lottery Charities Board. [40659]
Mr. Kirkhope [holding answer 31 October 1995]: Of the £44,000 reimbursed to the chairman and members of the National Lottery Charities Board up to the end of September 1995, £21,000 was paid in travelling expenses for legitimate attendance at board meetings and journeys on official board business. These figures are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.
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Michael Joseph McKenny
Mr. Madden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will release Joseph McKinney from Frankland prison; what is Mr. McKinney's date of birth; and how many years of his sentence he has served. [40450]
Miss Widdecombe [holding answer 30 October 1995]: The prisoner referred to was convicted under the name of Michael Joseph McKenny. Mr. McKenny was born on 7 February 1927. He has served eight years and seven months of a 16-year sentence. His final statutory parole review is due to commence in January 1996. If he is not released as a result of that review, his earliest date of release will be in January 1997.
Metropolitan Police (Settlements)
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been paid by the Metropolitan police in out-of- court settlements in each of the past three financial years and the current year to date. [41182]
Mr. Maclean: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) on 17 July 1995, Official Report , column 933 . This information is recorded by calendar year, not by financial year. The amount paid in out of court settlements this year up to 31 October is £488.000.
Football Matches (Policing)
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend charges made upon London football clubs for police presence in or at stadiums to include all officers employed outside the ground in connection with matches; and if he will make a statement. [41179]
Mr. Maclean: Policing outside football grounds is part of the duty of the police to maintain law and order in public places and to keep traffic flowing. It would not be appropriate to make charges.
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the payments to police forces made by each of London's Premier and Football League clubs in season 1994 95 and 1995 96 to date. [41181]
Mr. Maclean: I understand from the Metropolitan police that the payments--which are not necessarily the same as the amounts billed--are those given in the table.
Payments to
Metropolitan police
|1994-95 season |1995-96 season<1>
Club |£ |£
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arsenal |332,659.52 |9,499.91
Barnet |49,524.31 |5,159.90
Brentford |69,016.21 |0.00
Charlton |25,427.74 |2,974.75
Chelsea |363,476.16 |21,187.40
Crystal Palace |183,057.73 |0.00
Fulham |35,513.76 |2,021.40
Leyton Orient |16,293.57 |7,023.21
Millwall |125,840.29 |29,625.22
Queens Park Rangers |100,058.84 |0.00
Tottenham Hotspur |161,127.84 |0.00
West Ham United |172,376.87 |0.00
Wimbledon |130,932.86 |28,443.58
Total |1,765,305.70 |105,935.37
<1> (as at 30-09-95)
National Insurance Status
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from employers' organisations in respect of the Government's plans to make employers check on employees' national insurance status; and what proportion of these have been in favour of the proposals. [40968]
Mr. Kirkhope: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) on 1 November 1995, Official Report, column 270.
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