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15 Oct 2004 : Column 404W—continued
Short Gestation Births
Dr. Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were born at under 24 weeks gestation in the last two years for which figures are available; how many were still alive one year later; how many were handicapped; and from what handicaps they suffered. [190167]
Dr. Ladyman: The Department estimates that 450 babies were born from 400 deliveries before 24 weeks gestation in 2001–02. In 2002–03, about 600 babies were born from around 650 similar deliveries. Deliveries at low gestational age are often, but not always, precursors to disability. We do not have any information on the number of babies born in the most recent years who have physical or sensory impairments or learning difficulties. Neither do we know how many of those babies were still alive a year after birth. However, results of a United Kingdom and Ireland longitudinal study conducted at Nottingham University based on babies born before 26 weeks in the nine months from March to December 1995 is available at http://www.nottingham. ac.uk/human-development/EPICure/study2.htm .
Social Services Expenditure
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average expenditure per head of population on (a) children and (b) older people was by each social services department in the last year for which figures are available. [191120]
Miss Melanie Johnson:
The table shows the average gross expenditure per head of population on children and older people for each social services department in England in 2002–03, the latest year for which data are available.
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UA = Unitary authority.
(5) The population figures used to calculate the per capita expenditure are those for the same age groups as the headings in the table.
Sources:
Expenditure data, form PSS EX1;
Population data, mid 2002 Office for National Statistics estimates.
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Vegan Food Products
Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to encourage the food industry to use the Vegan Society's sunflower logo on food products complying with vegan standards; and if he will make a statement. [190137]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The Vegan Society's sunflower logo is a registered trademark used for commercial purposes and as such, it is not appropriate for the Government to encourage its use.
Working Time Directive
Mr. Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received about the costs of remunerating medical staff who have signed a formal opt-out from the Working Time Directive. [186366]
Mr. Hutton: I am not aware of any such representations.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Pensions
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the procedures for dealing with persons applying or the enhanced or accelerated pension administered by the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers Superannuation Committee have been revised in the past five years. [191634]
Angela Smith: The pension scheme administered by the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee does not make provision for an accelerated or an enhanced pension arrangement. The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002, Part III, which came into operation on 1 February 2003, did, however, make provision for optional additional benefits. One of which was to allow employing authorities to increase total membership (the number of years which count for pension purposes) of members leaving employment at or after 50. It is the responsibility of each employing authority to formulate and review their policy in respect of Part III of those Regulations.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Benefits (York)
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of (a) men, (b) women and (c) men and women were (i) unemployed and claiming benefits, (ii) long-term unemployed, (iii) youths unemployed and (iv) claiming incapacity benefit or predecessor invalidity benefits in (A) the UK, (B) England, (C) Yorkshire and the Humber, (D) City of York Council area and (E) City of York and York parliamentary constituency in each year since 1979. [188955]
Jane Kennedy:
The available information has been placed in the Library.
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