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Social Fund
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the policies governing advice for social fund applications undertaken by the Benefits Agency. [3352]
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Mr. Roger Evans: Section 140 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 requires that
"A social fund officer shall determine any question in accordance with any general directions issued by the Secretary of State and in determining any question shall take account of any general guidance issued by him."
That guidance is contained in the social fund guide and is intended to explain the basis for social fund officers' powers to determine applications to the discretionary social fund and to help them interpret the Secretary of State's directions in a consistent and flexible way.
Section 140 also requires social fund officers to take account of any guidance issued by the social fund officer nominated for his area under section 64 of the Administration Act 1992. This local guidance concerns the level of priority of applications which can be met from the district budget.
Mr. Hinchliffe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to regionalise benefit rates; and if he will make a statement. [3263]
Mr. Roger Evans:
None. Regional benefit rates would be complex and expensive to administer.
Mr. Hinchliffe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on progress with the installation of the NIRS 2 computer system; and for what reasons Andersen Consulting will not have the system fully operational in February 1997. [3264]
Mr. Heald:
Progress on the development of the NIRS 2 computer system is currently proceeding in accordance with the contractual timetable. Under the contract with Andersen Consulting it was always the intention that the system would be fully operational by April 1999. This is still the planned date for NIRS 2 to be fully operational.
Mr. Hinchliffe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to restrict support for departmental employees in establishing claimants' benefit entitlements; [3341]
(3) what proposals he has to change current regulations governing claimants' rights and service levels. [3344]
Mr. Roger Evans:
Full details of the Government's proposals for new decision making and appeals processes are set out in the Green Paper, "Improving decision making and appeals in Social Security", Cm 3328, which was published on July 23. The Green Paper was issued to a wide range of organisations with an interest in social security matters. Comments on the proposals were invited by 18 October.
The responses received--around 440--are currently being independently analysed. We plan to publish the results of the consultation exercise early in the new year
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and we will ensure that a copy is placed in the Library. Final decisions on the best way forward will be taken in the light of all the representations received.
Mr. Hinchliffe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his Department's proposals for privatisation in the social security system.[3343]
Mr. Roger Evans:
There are no proposals for privatisation of the social security system.
Involvement of the private sector in the Department of Social Security is part of a wider programme of change to reduce running costs and improve efficiency.
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when a reply will be sent to the letter from the hon. Member for Rochdale to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State dated 22 August, relating to Mr. R. Marsh of 43 Haslam street, Rochdale, Lancashire.[3786]
Mr. Roger Evans:
I replied to the hon. Member on 23 October.
19. Mr. Congdon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received regarding measures relating to school discipline in the Education Bill. [2089]
Mr. Forth:
While preparing the legislation, we have received a large number of representations from head teacher and teacher organisations, local authorities, school governors and other bodies with an interest in promoting good behaviour and effective discipline in schools.
21. Mr. David Shaw:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to improve school discipline. [2091]
Mr. Forth:
The Education Bill introduced on 30 October includes a package of measures to strengthen schools' ability to take action in the face of poor behaviour and discipline; to help ensure there is proper support for schools in dealing with pupils with behavioural problems; and to promote effective provision for such pupils out of school where necessary.
20. Mr. Stevenson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she last met the chief education officer of Staffordshire county council to discuss the level of education funding; and if she will make a statement. [2090]
Mr. Robin Squire:
My right hon. Friend met Dr. Hunter, the chief education officer of Staffordshire, on 4 November. They discussed a number of issues concerning education in Staffordshire.
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22. Mr. Bayley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make it her policy to reduce primary school class sizes. [2092]
Mr. Robin Squire:
It is the Government's policy to allow local authorities to determine the distribution of available resources between their primary and secondary schools; and to allow governors and head teachers to manage the distribution among classes of pupils, teachers and support staff.
24. Mr. Richards:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will review the practice of teaching union representatives attending meetings during schools hours. [2094]
Mr. Forth:
This is a matter for local management in the light of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service code of practice on time off for trade union duties and activities.
25. Sir Robert Hicks:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she will make a decision on Cornwall local education authority's application for funding to assist with the cost of the Lostwithiel county primary school rebuilding programme; and if she will make a statement. [2095]
Mrs. Gillan:
All local education authorities' bids for capital funding under annual capital guidelines and for grant aid for projects at voluntary aided schools, are currently being assessed. Decisions will be announced shortly before Christmas.
26. Mr. Ian Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to change the SSA calculations for local education authorities.[2096]
Mr. Robin Squire:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will make a statement on the SSA methodology for 1997-98 shortly after the Budget.
Mr. Biffen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what means, and by what date, she will ensure the details of the education standard spending assessments for 1997-98 will be available to hon. Members. [3510]
Mr. Squire
[holding answer 11 November 1996]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be making a statement shortly after the Budget. Written details of the education standard spending assessments for local authorities in 1997-98, together with details of the SSAs for the other major services, will be available at that time.
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27. Mr. Pickthall:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) higher education institutions and (b) further education institutions currently do not have cash reserves to cover 30 days of total expenditure. [2097]
Mr. Forth:
Eighty-eight higher education institutions did not have net cash balances sufficient to cover 30 days' expenditure at 31 July 1995. At the same date, 128 further education institutions had less than 30 days' cash in hand.
28. Mr. Pawsey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils have been excluded from secondary schools in England in the last 12 months. [2098]
Mr. Forth:
The latest figures on exclusions, which relate to the school year 1994-95, show that 8,870 pupils were permanently excluded from secondary schools in England.
(2) what plans he has to remove independent adjudication of claims from the social security system;[3342]
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