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Technetium (Lobsters)
Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what level of technetium has been reported in lobsters obtained from the Irish Sea in the vicinity of Sellafield. [1787]
Mr. Morley: Levels of technetium -99 in lobsters from the Irish Sea close to BNFL Sellafield are reported in the MAFF report--Radioactivity in Food and the Environment, 1995. The average level in lobsters was 8,300 Bq/kg in 1995. In 1996 the level rose to 17,900 Bq/kg in the second quarter and then reduced to 6,430 Bq/kg in the last quarter. The annual radiation exposure to the most exposed group associated with lobster consumption was 18Sv in 1995 and 29Sv/year in 1996. This can be compared with the public dose limit of 1000Sv/year and presents no food safety concerns.
Flood Alleviation
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reassess the need for the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Alleviation Scheme with particular reference to climate changes; and if he will make a statement. [1729]
Mr. Morley: There are no plans to review the need for the Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton Flood Alleviation Scheme, which was the subject of a detailed local public inquiry in 1992. The Inspector at the inquiry concluded that there was a compelling need for the scheme to proceed in order to provide protection to some 4,800 households, 700 commercial buildings and major communications links. Also, this Department was satisfied that the Environment Agency's proposed works met the technical, environmental and economic criteria for grant aid.
The possible impact of climate change has been fully considered by the Environment Agency during scheme design. Although there has been a trend towards lower average rainfall in southern England in recent years, studies related to global climate change suggest a possible increase in the frequency and severity of extreme events of the type against which this scheme is intended to provide protection. Whilst there is insufficient evidence to quantify any such changes at present, it would clearly be inappropriate to design the scheme for anything less than the flood conditions experienced in the past 50 years.
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Pensions
13. Mr. Corbett: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals she has to ensure that retirement pensioners share in rising national prosperity.[889]
Mr. Denham: Our review of pensions will consider the central areas of insecurity for elderly people, including all aspects of the basic pension and its value. In undertaking this review we will ensure that the views of pensioners are heard.
We want to get help to Britain's poorest pensioners and we are commissioning research into the reasons why a million pensioners fail to claim the Income Support to which they are entitled.
Mrs. Osborne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what plans she has for the basic state pension. [887]
Mr. Denham:
We will retain the basic State pension as the foundation of security in retirement provision; it has a vital part to play in providing a decent standard of living in retirement. We will increase it at least in line with prices.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will shortly be announcing details of a review of the central areas of insecurity for elderly people. All aspects of the basic pension will be included in our review.
Mr. Sanders:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will assess the cost to public funds of restoring the link between pensions and earnings for all pensioners aged 18 years and over on 31 December 1945. [61]
Mr. Denham:
The estimated net cost of restoring the link between the higher of the rise in the Retail Prices Index or Average Earnings for uprating the basic Retirement Pension and linked benefits, for those aged 18 years and over on 31 December 1945 is £5.7 billion in 1997-98.
Notes:
21. Mr. Timms:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the use of information technology in her Department. [897]
Mr. Keith Bradley:
The DSS uses the largest civil computer system in Europe to support the effective and efficient delivery of Social Security services to the people of this country. We will be assessing the Department's plans for Information Technology to ensure that they will
2 Jun 1997 : Column: 108
provide the improved services, better security and value for money that we want to see in a modernised Social Security system.
22. Ms Maria Eagle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to take steps to reduce housing benefit fraud. [898]
Mr. Denham:
We plan to crack down on dishonesty in the benefit system, and clamping down on housing benefit fraud will be a key priority. That is crucial if the public is to have confidence in the welfare system. A number of measures to help prevent, deter and detect housing benefit fraud will be brought in over the next few months and we shall consider what further measures are needed.
23. Mr. Evans:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures employing new technology she is using to combat social security fraud. [899]
Mr. Denham:
New technology is widely used within the Department both to deliver benefits and to combat fraud. Measures include datamatching and the introduction of the Benefit Payment Card.
25. Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has for the future of SERPS. [901]
Mr. Denham:
We intend to set up a review of pensions which will encompass second tier pensions including SERPS. We will retain SERPS for those who wish to remain in it and introduce a "citizenship pension" to help people who lose out on pension entitlements because they assume responsibility as carers.
26. Mr. Kirkwood:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will cancel all pending contracts or other plans to sell or privatise the property or services currently owned or managed by the Benefits Agency and its staff; and if she will make a statement. [902]
Mr. Field:
There is no proposal to privatise any Benefits Agency service.
A number of initiatives are in place which are designed to test the value of involving external suppliers in DSS operations. We are reviewing them against our objective to modernise the delivery of the welfare system.
We also need to measure them against our approach to partnership with the private sector; the implications for customer service, staff and the taxpayer; and our commitment to work within announced spending totals for the first two years of the Government.
We will make announcements in due course.
27. Ms Moran:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the number of children in families dependent on income support. [903]
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Mr. Keith Bradley:
In August 1996 there were around 2.9 million children aged 15 and under living in families dependent on Income Support. Our priority is to develop a modern welfare system which promotes work incentives, reduces poverty and welfare dependency and strengthens community and family life.
Mr. Trickett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received about social security appeals procedures. [894]
Mr. Keith Bradley:
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, will be meeting the President of the Independent Tribunal Service His Honour Judge Bassingthwaighte shortly. We plan to modernise the Social Security system and make savings. The framework for decision making and appeals for the next century must be more streamlined, easier for customers to understand and staff to operate.
28. Ms Mountford:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement about social security benefits appeals procedures. [904]
Mr. Denham:
We intend to bring forward legislation to improve current decision making and appeals arrangements for all Social Security benefits. Further details will be announced in due course.
29. Mr. Baldry:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the impact of introducing a minimum wage on the overall level of income support payments. [905]
Mr. Keith Bradley:
We are committed to introducing a national minimum wage, set seriously, decided not on the basis of a rigid formula, but according to the economic circumstances at the time.
1. Costs rounded to £0.1 billion.
2. Estimate assumes that the earnings link is restored from 1980.
3. Estimate of gross costs was provided by the Government Actuary's Department. Net costs, allowing for savings on income-related benefit expenditure, have been modelled using the 1994-95 Family Resources Survey and the May 1995 Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry.
4. Estimate is based on 1997-98 prices, benefits and earnings levels and calibrated to the income-related benefit forecasts underlying the 1996 Departmental Report.
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