House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 24 Nov 2005 (pt 28)

24 Nov 2005 : Column 2254W—continued

Jobseeker's Allowance

Mr. David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he proposes to review the rates of jobseeker's allowance. [29857]

Mr. Plaskitt: The rate of jobseeker's allowance is increased, along with all other social security benefits, in April each year. The amount of the increase is calculated on the basis of the Rossi index of inflation for the preceding September, with figures rounded to the nearest 5p.

Parliamentary Questions

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to answer questions references (a) 18634, (b) 18784, (c) 18786 to 18789, (d) 19631, (e) 19954, (f) 20162, (g) 21432 to 21434, (h) 21436 to 21450, (i) 21452, (j) 21454, (k) 21581 to 21586, (l) 21590, (m) 21853 to 21857, (n) 21957 and (o) 21960 to 21962 tabled by the hon. Member for Yeovil. [31022]

Mr. Plaskitt: My ministerial colleagues and I have replied to 56 (of the 140) questions tabled by the hon. Member since the House returned in October. We will continue to respond to questions as quickly as is practically possible.

Pathways to Work

Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the exit figures were from (a) incapacity benefit and (b) severe disability allowance for each quarter in each Pathways to Work pilot area since their commencement. [27221]

Mrs. McGuire [holding answer 10 November 2005]: The available information is in the table.
IB/SDA terminations by Pathways to work area

November 2003 February 2004 May
2004 August 2004 November 2004 February 2005 May
2005

Bridgend 2.0 2.0 2.7 2.2 2.3 2.3 1.3

Derbyshire 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.5

East Lancashire 2.1 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.2 2.1 1.6

Essex 3.3 3.6 3.9 4.4 3.7 4.1 2.5

Gateshead and South Tyneside 2.0 1.8 2.0 1.8 2.1 2.2 1.7

Renfrewshire 2.3 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.2 2.3 2.0

Somerset 1.0 1.0 1.3 1.0 0.7 0.9 0.8

Notes:
1.Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands.
2.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
3.Numbers are based on a 5 per cent. sample, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
4.Local authorities and Pathways areas are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant postcode directory.
5.Pathways to Work pilot areas were introduced from October 2003 (Bridgend, Renfrewshire and Derbyshire) and extended in April 2004 (Gateshead and South Tyneside, Somerset, Essex and East Lancashire). The termination figures cover quarters ending each February, May, August and November, even where Pathways areas were introduced part way through these quarters.
6.Figures for the latest quarter do not include any late notifications and are subject to major changes in future quarters.
7.Earlier quarters have been updated to include late notified terminations, including terminations for state pension.
Source:
Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample.

24 Nov 2005 : Column 2255W

	November 2003	February 2004	May 2004	August 2004	November 2004	February 2005	May 2005
Bridgend	2.0	2.0	2.7	2.2	2.3	2.3	1.3
Derbyshire	3.2	3.2	3.2	3.3	3.1	2.9	2.5
East Lancashire	2.1	2.6	2.5	2.5	2.2	2.1	1.6
Essex	3.3	3.6	3.9	4.4	3.7	4.1	2.5
Gateshead and South Tyneside	2.0	1.8	2.0	1.8	2.1	2.2	1.7
Renfrewshire	2.3	2.1	2.4	2.6	2.2	2.3	2.0
Somerset	1.0	1.0	1.3	1.0	0.7	0.9	0.8

Pensioners

Sir Malcolm Rifkind: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the number of pensioners who are entitled to pension credit but who are not claiming it. [27977]

Mr. Timms: I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the written answer I gave him on 9 November 2005, Official Report, columns 548–49W.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the number of single women pensioners living in poverty. [25038]

Mr. Timms: The seventh annual Opportunity for all" report (Cm 6673) sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and reports progress against a range of indicators.

The following table shows the number and percentage of single women over state pension age living in households in relative and absolute low income. They show that in 2003–04 there were 700,000 single women pensioners living in households in relative low income, measured after housing costs—the number in relative low income has fallen by almost a half since 1996–97.
Relative low income, i.e. based on contemporary income thresholds

1996–97 2003–04

After housing costs

Number (million) 1.2 0.7

Percentage 37 21

Before housing costs

Number (million) 0.9 0.8

Percentage 26 24

Absolute low income, i.e. based on 1996–97 income thresholds held constant in real terms

1996–97 2003–04

After housing costs

Number (million) 1.2 0.3

Percentage 37 11

Before housing costs

Number (million) 0.9 0.4

Percentage 26 13

Notes:
1.Figures are for Great Britain.
2.Data are from the Family Resources Survey based on HBAI methodology.

24 Nov 2005 : Column 2256W

	1996–97	2003–04
After housing costs
Number (million)	1.2	0.7
Percentage	37	21
Before housing costs
Number (million)	0.9	0.8
Percentage	26	24

	1996–97	2003–04
After housing costs
Number (million)	1.2	0.3
Percentage	37	11
Before housing costs
Number (million)	0.9	0.4
Percentage	26	13

Pensions

Ms Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Parliamentary Ombudsmen on the timing of her report on pensions. [31471]

Mr. Timms: None.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman's office has informed officials of the timetable for her report into the security of final salary occupational pension schemes and alleged delays in scheme wind ups. However, we have neither sought, nor had, any influence over the timing of that report. That is a matter entirely for the Ombudsman.

I understand that the Ombudsman wrote to all hon. Members on 18 November saying that she intends to publish her report before the parliamentary recess on 30 March 2006, and her reasons for that publication date.

School Crossing Patrols

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will extend the higher disregards of earnings for the calculation of income support and minimum income guarantee to include school crossing patrols. [29541]

Mr. Plaskitt: All aspects of benefit payment, including earnings disregards, are kept under constant review in order to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of benefit and the best use of public funds.

Any decision to give special disregards to a particular group of claimants is a complex matter with wider implications. We currently have no plans to provide school crossing patrols with any special disregard of earnings within the various income related benefit schemes.

Recruitment of school crossing patrol is a matter for local authorities. We are not aware of any direct relationship between benefit disregards and recruitment of school crossing patrols.

24 Nov 2005 : Column 2257W

Winter Fuel Payments

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to extend winter fuel payments to people under 60 years who qualify for (a) middle and (b) higher rate of disability living allowance care component and (c) the higher rate of the mobility component; and if he will make a statement. [31090]

Mr. Timms: There are no plans to extend the winter fuel payment scheme to disabled people under age 60.

Help is already available through disability benefits and the disability premium in income-related benefits in recognition of the extra costs, including heating, which disabled people may face.

HEALTH

Advisory Non-departmental Bodies

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list those of her Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required (a) to consult prior to legislative proposals and (b) to publish their response to advice from; [20188]

(2) which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department have a statutory base; which (a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and whether it is under a statutory requirement in each instance; [20189]

(3) which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department (a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members'

24 Nov 2005 : Column 2258W

interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings; and whether it is under a statutory requirement in each case. [20190]

Jane Kennedy: The information requested on the Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies, which the Government are required to consult prior to legislative and to publish their response to advice from is shown in the table.

The Government are required to:

Name of ANDPB (a) consult these
advisory non-
departmental public
bodies (ANDPBs) prior
to legislative proposals

(b) publish their
response to advice
from these
ANDPBs

Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (HMAC) Not specifically⁽²¹⁾ No

Nursing and Other Health Professions Review Body No Yes

Patient Information Advisory Group Yes⁽²²⁾ No

Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration No Yes

⁽²¹⁾There are certain legislative requirements to consult the appropriate committee, and in some circumstances this is likely to be the HMAC. However, there is no explicit requirement to consult HMAC.
2This is the case only in respect of section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001.

Name of ANDPB	(a) consult these advisory non- departmental public bodies (ANDPBs) prior to legislative proposals	(b) publish their response to advice from these ANDPBs
Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (HMAC)	Not specifically⁽²¹⁾	No
Nursing and Other Health Professions Review Body	No	Yes
Patient Information Advisory Group	Yes⁽²²⁾	No
Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration	No	Yes

The information requested on which advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department that have a statutory base; which publish their advice to Government, publish an annual report and lay an annual report before Parliament is shown in the table.

The advisory non-departmental public bodies (ANDPBs) all have a statutory base and publish their advice to Government, publish an annual report and lay an annual report before Parliament as shown in the following table:

Name of ANDPB (a) Publish
their advice
to
Government
If so
whether
under a
statutory
requirement (b) Publish
an annual
report If so
whether
under a
statutory
requirement (c) Lay an
annual
report
before
Parliament If so
whether
under a
statutory
requirement

Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee No No No No No No

British Pharmacopoeia Commission (BPC) No No⁽²²⁾ Yes Yes Yes Yes

Gene Therapy Advisory Committee No No Yes Yes No No

Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee No⁽²³⁾ No Yes⁽²⁴⁾ Yes Yes⁽²⁴⁾ Yes

Independent Review Panel for Borderline Substances No No Yes No Yes No

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation No No⁽²²⁾ Yes No No No

Medicines Commission (will be abolished on 30 October 2005) Yes No Yes No Yes Yes

National Joint Registry Steering Committee No No Yes No No No

Patient Information Advisory Group Yes No Yes No No No

The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority No No No No No No

Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority No No No No No No

⁽²²⁾The statutory role of the BPC is to cause to be published the British Pharmacopoeia. This is not published for Government but for sale to the public and industry.
2This has not specifically been decided yet, and the answer provided is based on precedent with other advisory committees.
3The Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee Order establishing HMAC came into force on 30 October 2005. The answer provided refers to planned future activity.
Note:
ANDPBs may have a statutory base either by provision being made for their existence in law, or by the law putting an obligation on the Secretary of State which is then partly undertaken by an ANDPB set up by the Secretary of State for the purpose.

24 Nov 2005 : Column 2259W

Name of ANDPB	(a) Publish their advice to Government	If so whether under a statutory requirement	(b) Publish an annual report	If so whether under a statutory requirement	(c) Lay an annual report before Parliament	If so whether under a statutory requirement
Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee	No	No	No	No	No	No
British Pharmacopoeia Commission (BPC)	No	No⁽²²⁾	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Gene Therapy Advisory Committee	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee	No⁽²³⁾	No	Yes⁽²⁴⁾	Yes	Yes⁽²⁴⁾	Yes
Independent Review Panel for Borderline Substances	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation	No	No⁽²²⁾	Yes	No	No	No
Medicines Commission (will be abolished on 30 October 2005)	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
National Joint Registry Steering Committee	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Patient Information Advisory Group	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No
The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority	No	No	No	No	No	No
Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority	No	No	No	No	No	No

The information requested on advisory non-departmental public bodies that hold public meetings, conduct public consultation exercise, conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, publish a register of

24 Nov 2005 : Column 2260W

members' interests, publish agendas for meetings and publish the minutes of meetings is shown in the table. The following advisory non-departmental public bodies (ANDPBs):

Name of ANDPB (a) Hold
public
meetings Whether
under a
statutory
requirement (b) Conduct
public
consultation
exercises Whether
under a
statutory
requirement (c) Publish
a register of
members'
interests Whether
under a
statutory
requirement

Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee No No No No No No

Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances No No No No No No

Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards No No No No No No

Advisory Group on Hepatitis No No No No No No

Committee for Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment No No No No No No

Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Yes No Yes No Yes No

Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Yes No Yes No Yes No

Committee on Safety of Devices No No No No No No

Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants No No Yes No Yes No

Expert Advisory Group on Aids No No No No No No

Gene Therapy Advisory Committee Yes No No No No No

Genetics and Insurance Committee Yes No No No No No

Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee ⁽²⁴⁾— No ⁽²⁴⁾— No ⁽²⁴⁾— No

Human Genetics Commission Yes No Yes No Yes No

Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) No No No No No No

Independent Review Panel for Advertising No No No No No No

Independent Review Panel for Borderline Substances No No No No No No

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation No No No No No No

Medicines Commission (will be abolished on 30 October 2005) No No No No No No

National Joint Registry Steering Committee No No⁽²⁷⁾ No No No No

Nursing and Other Health Professions Review Body No No No No No No

Patient Information Advisory Group No No Yes No No No

Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration No No No No No No

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition Yes No Yes No Yes —

Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health⁽²³⁾ n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Sexual Health Independent Advisory Group No No No No No No

Specialist Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance No No No No No No

Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee Yes No No No No No

Standing Dental Advisory Committee No No No No Yes No

Steering Committee on Pharmacy Postgraduate Education⁽²³⁾ n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products No No No No No No

UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority No No No No No No

Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority No No No No No No

Name of ANDPB (d) Publish a register
of members' interests Whether under a
statutory requirement (e) Publish agendas
for meetings Whether under a
statutory requirement

Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee Yes No No No

Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances No No No No

Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards No No No No

Advisory Group on Hepatitis Yes No Yes No

Committee for Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment Yes No No No

Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Yes No Yes No

Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment Yes No Yes No

Committee on Safety of Devices Yes No Yes No

Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants Yes No Yes No

Expert Advisory Group on Aids Yes No Yes No

Gene Therapy Advisory Committee Yes No Yes No

Genetics and Insurance Committee Yes No Yes No

Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee Yes⁽²⁵⁾ No No⁽²⁶⁾ No

Human Genetics Commission Yes No Yes No

Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) Yes No No No⁽²⁹⁾

Independent Review Panel for Advertising Yes No No No

Independent Review Panel for Borderline Substances Yes No No No

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation Yes No Yes No

Medicines Commission (will be abolished on 30 October 2005) Yes No No No

National Joint Registry Steering Committee No No⁽²⁸⁾ Yes No

Nursing and Other Health Professions Review Body Yes No No No

Patient Information Advisory Group Yes No Yes No

Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration Yes No No No

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition Yes No Yes No

Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health⁽²³⁾ n/a n/a n/a n/a

Sexual Health Independent Advisory Group Yes No No No

Specialist Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance No No Yes No

Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee Yes No Yes No

Standing Dental Advisory Committee No No No No

Steering Committee on Pharmacy Postgraduate Education⁽²³⁾ n/a n/a n/a n/a

The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products Yes No No No

UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority Yes No Yes No

Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority Yes No Yes No

n/a = Not available.
⁽²³⁾These bodies are under review and not active. They have no memberships.
2This has not yet been decided.
3The Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee Order establishing the HMAC came into force on 30 October 2005. The answer provided refers to planned future activity.
4This has not specifically been decided yet, and the answer provided is based on precedent with other advisory committees.
5The NJRSC will hold such meetings in future.
6The NJRSC will publish such a register in future.
7The IRP intends to introduce these measures next year.

24 Nov 2005 : Column 2261W

Name of ANDPB	(a) Hold public meetings	Whether under a statutory requirement	(b) Conduct public consultation exercises	Whether under a statutory requirement	(c) Publish a register of members' interests	Whether under a statutory requirement
Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee	No	No	No	No	No	No
Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances	No	No	No	No	No	No
Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards	No	No	No	No	No	No
Advisory Group on Hepatitis	No	No	No	No	No	No
Committee for Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment	No	No	No	No	No	No
Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Committee on Safety of Devices	No	No	No	No	No	No
Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Expert Advisory Group on Aids	No	No	No	No	No	No
Gene Therapy Advisory Committee	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Genetics and Insurance Committee	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee	⁽²⁴⁾—	No	⁽²⁴⁾—	No	⁽²⁴⁾—	No
Human Genetics Commission	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP)	No	No	No	No	No	No
Independent Review Panel for Advertising	No	No	No	No	No	No
Independent Review Panel for Borderline Substances	No	No	No	No	No	No
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation	No	No	No	No	No	No
Medicines Commission (will be abolished on 30 October 2005)	No	No	No	No	No	No
National Joint Registry Steering Committee	No	No⁽²⁷⁾	No	No	No	No
Nursing and Other Health Professions Review Body	No	No	No	No	No	No
Patient Information Advisory Group	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration	No	No	No	No	No	No
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	—
Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health⁽²³⁾	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Sexual Health Independent Advisory Group	No	No	No	No	No	No
Specialist Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance	No	No	No	No	No	No
Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Standing Dental Advisory Committee	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Steering Committee on Pharmacy Postgraduate Education⁽²³⁾	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products	No	No	No	No	No	No
UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority	No	No	No	No	No	No
Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority	No	No	No	No	No	No

Name of ANDPB	(d) Publish a register of members' interests	Whether under a statutory requirement	(e) Publish agendas for meetings	Whether under a statutory requirement
Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee	Yes	No	No	No
Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances	No	No	No	No
Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards	No	No	No	No
Advisory Group on Hepatitis	Yes	No	Yes	No
Committee for Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment	Yes	No	No	No
Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment	Yes	No	Yes	No
Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment	Yes	No	Yes	No
Committee on Safety of Devices	Yes	No	Yes	No
Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants	Yes	No	Yes	No
Expert Advisory Group on Aids	Yes	No	Yes	No
Gene Therapy Advisory Committee	Yes	No	Yes	No
Genetics and Insurance Committee	Yes	No	Yes	No
Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee	Yes⁽²⁵⁾	No	No⁽²⁶⁾	No
Human Genetics Commission	Yes	No	Yes	No
Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP)	Yes	No	No	No⁽²⁹⁾
Independent Review Panel for Advertising	Yes	No	No	No
Independent Review Panel for Borderline Substances	Yes	No	No	No
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation	Yes	No	Yes	No
Medicines Commission (will be abolished on 30 October 2005)	Yes	No	No	No
National Joint Registry Steering Committee	No	No⁽²⁸⁾	Yes	No
Nursing and Other Health Professions Review Body	Yes	No	No	No
Patient Information Advisory Group	Yes	No	Yes	No
Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration	Yes	No	No	No
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition	Yes	No	Yes	No
Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health⁽²³⁾	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Sexual Health Independent Advisory Group	Yes	No	No	No
Specialist Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance	No	No	Yes	No
Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee	Yes	No	Yes	No
Standing Dental Advisory Committee	No	No	No	No
Steering Committee on Pharmacy Postgraduate Education⁽²³⁾	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products	Yes	No	No	No
UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority	Yes	No	Yes	No
Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority	Yes	No	Yes	No

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