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Pension Schemes
Mr. Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list how many men made contributions to (a) contracted-out pension schemes by scheme type and (b) the state earnings-related pension scheme in the latest year for which figures are available. [18721]
Mr. Heald: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
It is estimated that in 1991, the latest date for which information is available, there were approximately 5.3 million men in contributory contracted-out occupational pension schemes.
The number of men with appropriate personal pensions is estimated to be 3.4 million in 1991-92 and 3.6 million in 1994-95.
The total number of men accruing unabated SERPS entitlement is estimated to be 3.5 million in 1991-92 and 3.4 million in 1993-94, the latest date for which information is available.
Source:
Mr. Alfred Morris:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make arrangements for an urgent review of war pension claims made by ex-service men and women who were exposed to the effects of the use of organophosphates during service in the Gulf war. [18825]
Mr. Heald:
No. Under the war pensions scheme, the initial onus is on the claimant to show disablement. Where disablement has been shown to exist, present medical evidence does not support a causal relation to exposure to organophosphates. Present medical understanding is that exposure would result in symptoms arising in close time relation. Many claims made as a result of service in the Gulf, however, are made in respect of symptoms which arose several years after service ended.
Nevertheless, where disablement has been shown and where the claim is made within seven years of termination of service, because the onus is on the Secretary of State to show beyond reasonable doubt that disablement is not attributable to service, unless there is a clear non-service cause of disablement, war pensions have been, and will continue to be awarded.
Mr. Betts:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of bills to his Department were paid (a) in accordance with agreed contractual conditions and (b) within 30 days of receiving goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice where no contractual conditions applied in the last year for which figures are available. [18806]
Mr. Burt:
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 17 December 1996, Official Report, columns 506-7 by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Spring).
6 Mar 1997 : Column: 720
Mr. Milburn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown by project of PFI schemes for which his department is responsible as identified in table 5.5 of the Red Book. [18935]
Mr. Burt:
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 13 January, Official Report, column 149.
The private finance initiative schemes in table 5.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" include the national insurance recording system 2, Newcastle estate development, the Benefits Agency--Post Office Counters Ltd.), access to corporate data and private sector resource initiative for management of the estate projects.
Mr. Richards:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the additional cost of linking state pensions to average earnings in Wales during the last five years. [17876]
Mr. Heald
[holding answer Thursday 27 February]: The information is in the table.
Government Actuary's survey of occupational pension schemes 1991.
| Year | Gross additional cost of uprating basic retirement pensions by average earnings in Wales | Net additional cost of uprating basic retirement pensions by average earnings in Wales |
|---|---|---|
| 1992-93 | 49 | 36 |
| 1993-94 | 85 | 61 |
| 1994-95 | 87 | 62 |
| 1995-96 | 119 | 86 |
| 1996-97 | 109 | 80 |
Sources:
1. The numbers in receipt of basic retirement pension and the average amount received have been estimated based on a 5 per cent. sample of live cases--10 per cent. in 1992-93 and 1993-94.
2. Earnings growth in Wales has been estimated by the Office for National Statistics, using the new earnings survey.
Notes:
1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest £1 million.
2. The NES is calculated in April each year and the figures have been adjusted to provide figures for September allowing a comparison with the September retail prices index that is used for uprating RP. The NES figures have been adjusted by taking the ratio of the NES increase from April to April and the average earnings index April to April increases and multiplying this by the AEI increases from April to September. The headline AEI whole economy figure is used.
3. The gross expenditure is estimated by calculating the percentage increase in standard basic RP and then applying this percentage increase to the actual total expenditure on RP in Wales.
4. The net expenditure takes account of income related benefits that would otherwise have been paid. The offset ratios have been calculated using the policy simulation model which is based on information from the family expenditure survey. For 1992-93, the 1993-94 offset ratio has been applied.
6 Mar 1997 : Column: 721
NORTHERN IRELAND
Anglo-Irish Secretariat
Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the religious breakdown of those public appointments made each year since 1986 on the proposal of the Irish side of the Anglo-Irish Secretariat. [17703]
Sir John Wheeler: The information requested is not available.
Water Cannon
Mr. Livingstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times water cannons have been used by the security forces in Northern Ireland since 1967; for what reasons they were used; on what dates they were used; in what places they were used; and if the security forces are currently authorised to use water cannons. [17951]
Sir John Wheeler: It is not possible to provide details of the use of water cannons in Northern Ireland as no separate statistical records of their use were kept at the time. It is believed they were last used around 1970.
The Royal Ulster Constabulary is authorised to use "reasonable force" in situations of public disorder, which could include the use of water cannons. The force does not, however, hold any water cannons and has not done so for some years.
Private Finance Initiative
Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide a breakdown by project of PFI schemes for which his Department is responsible as identified in table 5.5 of the Red Book. [18929]
Sir John Wheeler: The following table gives a breakdown of the Northern Ireland figures, which are the best estimate of what NI Departments expect to be agreed. The list is subject to variation as project time scales may change, new projects may arise and some of those listed may not be taken forward if they fail the value for money test.
6 Mar 1997 : Column: 722
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