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Incapacity Benefit
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in North Staffordshire are on incapacity benefit; of those who have been on this benefit for three years or more, how many have been called back on (i) a six-monthly basis, (ii) a 12-monthly basis and (iii) an 18-monthly basis; and with what results. [93659]
Mr. Bayley: The administration of Incapacity Benefit is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Joan Whalley, dated 19 October 1999:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people in North Staffordshire are on Incapacity Benefit (IB); of those who have been on this benefit for three years or more, how many have been called back on (i) a six-monthly basis, (ii) a 12-monthly basis and (iii) an 18-monthly basis; and with what results.
Information is recorded on the total number of constituents claiming IB at Hanley Benefit Office which covers the North Staffordshire area. The number of claimants receiving IB from Hanley Benefit Office is 25,940 and of these 15,160 have been receiving that benefit for three years or more.
Statistical information on the timing of re-examination of claims is not maintained by the Benefits Agency. However, it is expected that on a national basis, 4% of claimants will be referred to Medical Services for the All Work Test on a three month basis, 16% every six months, 19% every 12 months and 8% every 18 months.
I hope this information is helpful.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Westminster Foundation for Democracy
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial and other assistance has been given to the Westminster Foundation for Democracy during 1998-99; what support the foundation received during 1999-2000; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for giving support to the foundation. [94543]
Mr. Robin Cook: The Westminster Foundation for Democracy received £3,136,970 from the Foreign Office in 1998-99 in Grant-in-Aid and special purpose grants, as well as a grant of £31,845 from DfID. For the current financial year the Westminster Foundation for Democracy has been allocated £4 million in Grant-in-Aid and up to £244,000 for special projects from the FCO and £14,000 from DfID.
In addition to financial assistance, an FCO official serves on the Foundations's Board of Governors in an advisory capacity.
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy exists to promote democratic development worldwide. It has a proven track record in delivering high quality projects in support of democracy building around the world.
Mr. Fitzpatrick:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how pay rates are set for locally engaged staff in overseas diplomatic missions; and what account is taken of recognised local poverty datum lines. [94162]
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Mr. Battle:
Pay rates and other conditions of service for locally engaged staff are set by reference to comparable employers based locally. These comparators are usually drawn from other diplomatic missions, private companies, and the local Civil Service. UK missions are also required to follow the terms of local employment law, including legislation on national minimum wage levels.
Mr. Eric Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between Britain and Sierra Leone. [94876]
Mr. Hain:
We welcomed the signature on 7 July of the Lome Peace Agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front. Our objective now is to help the Government and people of Sierra Leone to implement the peace agreement, and thus build a framework for lasting peace and security.
We have implemented the £10 million package of assistance which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced on 2 March 1999. This has included: UK military advisers helping to train the new, democratically accountable Sierra Leone Army; a range of equipment for the new Army including uniforms, vehicles, and light weapons; logistical support and equipment for the ECOMOG peacekeeping forces; and support for civil society and Government participation in the negotiation of the peace agreement. The ECOWAS Secretariat confirmed that the weapons could be imported as an exemption to the ECOWAS Small Arms Moratorium; and the UN Sanctions Committee was notified of these exports. We are working with the United Nations to support the early deployment of a UN peacekeeping force to Sierra Leone.
DfID and the MOD are also supporting a range of projects in Sierra Leone. We will take every opportunity, including at the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of
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Government meeting in Durban, to encourage further support for Sierra Leone from others in the international community.
Mr. Eric Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish GCHQ's recruitment statistics for 1998 indicating the comparable figures for 1997. [94877]
Mr. Robin Cook:
GCHQ notified the Commissioners that as a result of recruitment schemes run in 1998, 182 individuals have joined the department or are awaiting completion of the recruitment process. The 1997 recruitment schemes yielded 236 new entrants. In addition, eight former members of staff were reappointed in 1998 compared with five in 1997.
Mr. Eric Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the preparedness of other countries to deal with the millennium bug. [94878]
Mr. Battle:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been actively gathering information about the preparedness of other countries to deal with the millennium bug. This information is being made publicly available on the FCO website at http://www.fco.gov.uk. So far, we have published information on 70 countries and these are continuously updated. More will follow soon. Copies of these statements have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Eric Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union to the end of October together with the major European Union events for the next six months. [94879]
Mr. Vaz:
This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.
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