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Algeria
Mr. Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the situation in Algeria; and if he will make a statement. [16559]
Mr. Fatchett: We have received numerous representations from NGOs and from members of the public in the United Kingdom expressing concern about the situation in Algeria.
We share the widespread revulsion at events in Algeria and continue to be seriously concerned about the security situation there. We condemn the violence unreservedly and call on those responsible to end the appalling atrocities. The scope for international action is limited; we believe that more will be achieved through quiet diplomacy. We urge the Algerian Government and all interested parties to find an early solution to this major internal problem and encourage the government to continue along the democratic path.
Gibraltar
Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it a condition of Spain's entry into full membership of NATO that both civil and military aircraft using Gibraltar airport are allowed to overfly Spanish airspace. [16666]
Mr. Doug Henderson: Civilian aircraft using Gibraltar airport routinely overfly Spanish airspace in accordance with the Chicago Convention. Military overflights are one element in our discussions with Spain in the NATO context.
Turkey (EU Membership)
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to oppose the application by Turkey to join the European Union and if he will make a statement. [16677]
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Mr. Doug Henderson:
No. We believe that Turkey's application to join the European Union should be judged by the same criteria as other applicants' applications.
Public Transport
15. Mr. Dawson: To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to improve public transport in rural areas. [15135]
The Prime Minister: The need to enhance rural public transport services is being addressed in the fundamental review of transport policy. Our proposals for enhancing public transport services, including those in rural areas, will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper on transport policy.
Engagements
Mr. Amess: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 19 November.[15133]
Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 19 November. [15137]
The Prime Minister: This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. I shall have further meetings later today.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Housing Benefit
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households have had housing benefit restrictions imposed on them in each of the last three years (a) in total and (b) in each London borough. [14815]
Mr. Keith Bradley: The information is in the tables.
| Financial year | Number of households (GB) |
|---|---|
| 1994-95 | 269,000 |
| 1995-96 | 321,000 |
| 1996-97 | 439,000 |
(9) There were less than 500 restrictions in the borough during the given year.
(10) Figures for Lambeth are not yet available for 1996-97.
1. Figures have been estimated using Rent Officer Statistics, the Housing Benefit Management Information System quarterly 100 per cent. caseload enquiry and Rent Allowance expenditure information, collected on annual subsidy claim forms from Local Authorities.
2. Caseloads have been rounded to the nearest 1,000 households.
3. Housing benefit restrictions are taken to mean rent restrictions. Single room rent restrictions have not been included due to insufficient reliable data.
19 Nov 1997 : Column: 223
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total estimated saving arising from restrictions on housing benefit (a) in total and (b) for each London borough in each of the last three financial years. [14814]
Mr. Keith Bradley: The information is in the tables.
| Financial year | Total estimated saving (GB) (£ million per annum) |
|---|---|
| 1994-95 | 245 |
| 1995-96 | 275 |
| 1996-97 | 360 |
(11) There were less than 500 restrictions in the borough during the given year or less than £250,000 worth of savings.
(12) Figures for Lambeth are not yet available for 1996-97.
1. Figures have been estimated using Rent Officer Statistics, the Housing Benefit Management Information System quarterly 100 per cent. caseload enquiry and Rent Allowance expenditure information, collected on annual subsidy claim forms from local authorities.
2. Estimated savings have been rounded to the nearest £5 million for Great Britain and to the nearest £500,000 for London boroughs.
3. Housing benefit restrictions have been taken to mean rent restrictions. Single room rent restrictions (from October 1996) have not been included as sufficient reliable data is not yet available.
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Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households with (a) children aged under 18 years and (b) other vulnerable members were subject to housing benefit restrictions in each of the last three years. [14816]
Mr. Keith Bradley: The information requested was not collected prior to 1996-97. The estimated number of households with dependent children under age 18, who were subject to housing benefit restrictions in 1996-97, was 60,000. The number of households with other vulnerable members, who were subject to housing benefit restrictions for this period is estimated to be negligible.
- Note:
- The figure does not take account of Local Authority discretionary payments.
- Source:
- Rent Officer Statistics, the Housing Benefit Management Information System annual 1 per cent. sample enquiries and Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Summary Statistics 1997.
Ms Buck:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in receipt of income support were subject to housing benefit restrictions in each of the last three years; and what was the average value of the restriction. [14818]
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| Financial year | Number of households (GB) | Average housing benefit restriction (£p.w.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-95 | 207,000 | 17.00 |
| 1995-96 | 248,000 | 17.00 |
| 1996-97 | 328,000 | 16.00 |
1. Figures have been estimated using Rent Officer Statistics, the housing benefit Management Information System quarterly 100 per cent. caseload enquiry and Rent Allowance expenditure information, collected on annual subsidy claim forms from local authorities.
2. Caseloads have been rounded to the nearest 1,000 households.
3. Housing benefit restrictions have been taken to mean rent restrictions. Single room rent restrictions (from October 1996) have not been included as sufficient reliable data is not yet available.
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