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SOCIAL SECURITY
"The Growth of Social Security"
Mr. Alan Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish table 8 on page 16 of "The Growth of Social Security" updated to 1995-96. [32484]
Mr. Burt: The information is set out in the table.
19 Jun 1996 : Column: 488
| Benefit | 1995-96 | 2000-2001 |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement Pension-- Basic | 27.9 | 29.4 |
| Retirement Pension--Earnings-Related | 2.3 | 4.6 |
| Widow's Pension | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| War Pension | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| Attendance Allowance | 2.2 | 2.7 |
| Disability Living Allowance | 3.7 | 5.9 |
| Unemployment Benefit/Jobseeker's Allowance | (7)1.1 | (7)5.2 |
| Invalidity/Incapacity Benefit--basic-- earnings-related | 6.7 1.4 | 5.1 0.7 |
| Income Support-- pensioner-- non-pensioners | 3.8 12.8 | 2.7 7.9 |
| Child Benefit | 6.3 | 6.6 |
| Family Credit | 1.7 | 2.0 |
| Rent Allowance | 5.4 | 6.8 |
| Rent Rebate | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Council Tax Benefit | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| Other Benefits | 3.5 | 4.9 |
| Total DSS | 83.5 | 89.9 |
| Rent Rebate Subsidy Element (RRSE) | 3.5 | 2.9 |
| Total DSS and RRSE | 86.9 | 92.8 |
| Non-central Government Housing Benefit | 1.9 | 2.5 |
| Grant Total Benefits | 88.8 | 95.3 |
1. All figures are estimated outturn in 1995-96 prices.
2. The table shows the latest long-term projections of social security benefit expenditure in a similar format to that used in table 8 of "The Growth of Social Security".
3. The latest projections assume a constant unemployment level over the period.
4. Projections showing the effect of falling unemployment have not been produced for the latest figures.
(7) Expenditure on jobseeker's allowance in 2000-01, covers contributory and non-contributory jobseeker's allowance and includes some expenditure classified as income support (non-pensioners) in 1995-96.
Widowers' Pensions
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those countries in the European Union where widowers currently receive equal rights in pensions and are paid a widower's pension; and if he will make a statement. [32752]
Mr. Heald: Information on entitlement to widowers' pensions in the European Union countries is contained in "Social Protection in the Member States of the European Union", published by the European Commission, a copy of which is in the Library.
Postage Costs
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department spent on postage in the financial years 1994-95 and 1995-96; and how many items were posted during these periods. [32847]
Mr. Burt: Departmental expenditure on postage in the financial years 1994-95 and 1995-96 was £74,705,828 and £77,484,449 respectively.
The figure for 1995-96 is provisional.
19 Jun 1996 : Column: 489
The number of items posted with Royal Mail but excluding other carriers was 322,332,200 and 326,317,600 respectively.
The figures for postal expenditure and volume include letters, packages and parcels but not the use of courier services for internal distribution, particularly the departmental courier contract.
Ms Hodge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on how many occasions in each Session since 1991-92 legislation has been introduced into Parliament by his Department, with the purpose of (a) removing the effects of a judicial review decision or (b) implementing a judicial review decision; and if he will list the relevant legislative provisions. [33593]
Mr. Burt:
The information is not available in the format requested. The legislation listed below has been introduced to restore the original policy intention following judicial review decisions:
19 Jun 1996 : Column: 490
Mr. Burt:
The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
19 Jun 1996 : Column: 489
Ms Hodge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many decisions by his Department were challenged by way of judicial review in each Session since 1991-92; and if he will list in how many cases (a) the Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealed successfully against the judicial review decision. [33576]
1993-94
The Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1994
The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 1994
1994-95
The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 6) Regulations 1994
The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 1995
The Social Security Benefits (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1995
| Session | Number of judicial reviews | Department's decision upheld | Court found for the applicant | Department submitted to judgment | Department successfully appealed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994-95 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1995-96 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 1 appeal pending |
19 Jun 1996 : Column: 489
Income Support
Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to review the current rules on the payment of mortgage interest to income support claimants in cases where it is aware that the home was obtained through illegal means; and if he will make a statement. [31893]
Mr. Roger Evans [holding answer 12 June 1996]: The issue of alleged illegality is a matter for the mortgage lenders to take such action as they deem to be appropriate in the circumstances. It is not a matter for this Department. If the mortgage lender obtains, having proved fraud in court, an order for possession or foreclosure, income support mortgage interest payments cease to be payable.
Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated number of families on income support receiving mortgage interest payments in respect of properties which his Department is aware were obtained through illegal means. [31892]
Mr. Evans [holding answer 12 June 1996]: The information is not available.
HEALTH
General Practitioners
Mr. David Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been commissioned by his
19 Jun 1996 : Column: 490
Department into work-related stress facing general practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [32480]
Mr. Malone: The Department commissioned a study on stress in doctors which began in 1983 and is on-going. The aim of the study is to assess the levels and causes of stress in doctors, to explore ways to identify as early as possible those at risk, and to make recommendations on combatting stress. In addition, the Department has funded the Royal College of General Practitioners to support its work in this area.
Acute Hospital Beds
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of acute hospital beds per head of population in each European country. [32559]
Mr. Malone: Comparable data on acute beds in European countries are not available because of variations in national definitions of acute care.
Operation Waiting Times (Smokers)
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has evaluated in the last five years into waiting times for operations for smokers relative to those for non-smokers. [32563]
Arachis Oil
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department is carrying out into arachis oil; what guidance his Department issues in respect of preparations for breast-feeding mothers containing arachis oil; and if he will make statement. [32755]
19 Jun 1996 : Column: 491
Mr. Malone: The Department is carrying out no research into arachis oil. There is no evidence to exclude the use of arachis oil in lactating mothers. Guidance regarding use of medicinal products containing arachis oil is given in the manufacturers' product information for doctors and patients, which is authorised by the Licensing Authority, and in the British National Formulary which is sent free of charge to all doctors by the Department of Health.
Statistics
Mr. Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which statistics his Department has discontinued (a) the collection and (b) the publication of since 1989. [32865]
Mr. Horam: Changes in the basis of compilation, presentation and publication of statistical series are made from time to time in response to the requirements of Government and other users of statistics. Other changes reflect changes in administrative systems on which some series are based and technological developments affecting the compilation and dissemination of statistical data. The statistical material sought by the Department from the national health service, family health services practitioners and local authorities is kept under review to ensure that the burden on respondents is fully justified by the uses to which the data are put.
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