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28 Nov 2005 : Column 65W—continued
National Minimum Wage
Ms Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many employees in his Department were affected by the rise in the national minimum wage on 1 October. [28973]
Mr. Thomas: There were no DFID employees affected by the rise in the national minimum wage on 1 October 2005.
Niger
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 3–4W, on Niger, what discussions he has had with his foreign counterparts about the need to strengthen the existing international early warning systems used for the prediction of food crises. [30974]
Hilary Benn: In Niger and the wider Sahel region, DFID recently sent a humanitarian advisor to engage in discussions with the US, the French and the European Commission about how to improve existing early-warning systems, particularly through broadening the data collected to reflect vulnerability beyond food production.
Globally, DFID supports international and national efforts to improve early warning capacity. We see a strong role for co-ordination by the UN at the international level but recognise that responsibility for implementation rests primarily with Governments and stakeholders at local, national and regional level.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, columns 3–4W, on Niger, what representations his Department received before June regarding a food crisis in Niger from (a) the Government of Niger, (b) other African Governments and (c) non-governmental organisations. [30975]
Hilary Benn:
DFID received no representations from the Government of Niger regarding a food crisis, nor from any other African Governments. One non-governmental organisation (NGO) appealed to DFID at the end of 2004 for funds to help tackle the localised impact of drought and locusts, but did not predict a food crisis. Another NGO alerted DFID in April 2005
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to worrying nutritional trends that did point to an emerging food crisis. That NGO was offered funding support to help tackle the crisis, but declined.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, columns 3–4W, on Niger, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation Global Information and Early Warning System. [30976]
Hilary Benn: The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation's Global Information and Early Warning System is just one of many sources of early warning information that DFID consults. We have not made any in-depth evaluation of its effectiveness, but since it is based primarily on food-production data, we are aware that it does not always capture a complete picture of food-insecurity and vulnerability. Its failure to forewarn of the Niger crisis is evidence of this. However, used alongside complimentary information from other sources, it is useful.
Pakistan
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid effort to date his Department has offered to the victims of the recent earthquake in Pakistan. [30507]
Mr. Thomas: My hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for International Development, provided a written statement to the House on 24 October announcing that the Government are providing a further £25 million of humanitarian assistance for those affected by the 8 October earthquake. This brings DFID's contribution to the relief effort to £58 million, and our overall contribution, including support for reconstruction to £128 million.
We will continue to keep hon. Members informed of our response. In addition, specific details of our support to the relief effort are given in our regular Situation Reports, available at www.dfid.gov.uk.
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) financial and (b) other aid his Department has given to Pakistan following the earthquake; and if he will make a statement. [32656]
Mr. Thomas: My hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for International Development, provided a written statement to the House on 24 October announcing that the Government are providing a further £25 million of humanitarian assistance for those affected by the 8 October earthquake. This brings DFID's contribution to the relief effort to £58 million, and our overall contribution, including support for reconstruction, to £128 million.
Specific details of our support to the relief effort are given in our regular Situation Reports, available at www.dfid.gov.uk.
Parliamentary Questions
Mark Simmonds:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many written
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parliamentary questions to his Department were unanswered as at 14 November; and if he will make a statement. [29812]
Mr. Thomas: At the last Prorogation in April 2005 DFID had no parliamentary questions (PQ)s outstanding. Between then and 11 November 2005, a total of 1,324 parliamentary questions were tabled to the Department for International Development, of which there were eight unanswered questions.
South Asia Earthquake
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the outcome of the conference in Islamabad on 19 November to consider further international assistance in relation to the South Asia earthquake. [32145]
Hilary Benn: I refer my right hon. Friend for Oxford, Eastto the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 22 November 2005, Official Report, columns 104–06WS.
Trade Negotiations (Developing Countries)
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking under the UK presidency of the EU to assist the participation of developing countries in trade negotiations. [31494]
Mr. Thomas: I refer the hon. member for Ceredigion to the response I gave on 19 October 2005, Official Report, columns 1065–66W to my right hon. Friend for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith).
Western Sahara
Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to help the people in the Western Sahara. [31204]
Hilary Benn: DFID has no bilateral aid programme in the Western Sahara.
World Trade Organisation
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures the UK presidency of the EU has taken to achieve a favourable outcome for developing countries from the Doha development round. [30977]
Mr. Thomas: I refer my hon. friend to the response I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith) on 19 October 2005, Official Report, columns 1065–1066W.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Pensioners
16. Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to improve the situation of women pensioners. [31697]
Mr. Timms:
We have made a number of changes that are improving women's pension position. Pension credit is helping millions of pensioners on low incomes, two-thirds of whom are women. And the state second
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pension is extending second-tier pension rights, for the first time, to women who are caring for young children or a disabled adult.
We realise that, despite these successes, more needs to be done. Fairness is one of the key tests for a lasting pensions settlement for the 21st century. That is one reason why we published our report Women and Pensions: The evidence", to provide a basis on which to build consensus on the way forward and achieve fair outcomes for women.
We are looking forward to the recommendations of the Pensions Commission on Wednesday. We will look to build on our successes in helping women pensioners when we come forward with proposals for reform next year.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioners are eligible for means-tested benefits. [31695]
Mr. Timms: It is estimated that around a half of pensioners living in private households in Great Britain are eligible for means-tested benefits.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much on average pensioners in Wales receive in state pensions and benefits; and if he will make a statement. [32567]
Mr. Timms: The latest available information is in the following table.
| Pensioner couples | Single pensioners | |
|---|---|---|
| Wales | 182 | 129 |
| Great Britain | 173 | 126 |
Note:
Based on average of three years of results from 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04 Family Resources Survey uprated to 2003–04 prices.
Source:
Family Resources Survey
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of female pensioners in Wales are entitled to the full basic state pension; and if he will make a statement. [32568]
Mr. Timms: The information is not available in the requested format. The number of female pensioners in Wales who are in receipt of a full basic state pension as at 31 March 2005 is 177,900. This represents 49 per cent. of women in Wales who are getting any state pension or graduated retirement benefit.
1.Data are taken from 5 per cent. extract of Pension Service Computer System, therefore figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. They are also adjusted to be consistent with the overall caseload from the Work and Pension Longitudinal Study. 2.The figure for the number of recipients is rounded to the nearest hundred. 3.A full basic state pension (£79.60 in 2004–05) is paid to those who fully satisfy the contribution conditions either in their own right or where applicable, on the basis of their late or former spouse's contributions.
DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample.
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Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of women pensioners in Tamworth constituency are (a) in receipt of a full basic state pension, (b) in receipt of a basic state pension of (i) 75 per cent. to 99 per cent., (ii) 50 per cent. to 74 per cent., (iii) 25 per cent. to 49 per cent. and (iv) 1 per cent. to 24 per cent. of the value of a full basic state pension and (c) not entitled to any basic state pension. [29293]
Mr. Timms: The information is not available in the form requested as population estimates are not available at constituency level. The information in the table shows the number of women in receipt of basic state pension in Tamworth constituency.
(47)Based on very few sample cases and subject to a wide degree of sampling variation.
Notes:
1.Data are taken from 5 per cent. sample, therefore figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. They are also adjusted to be consistent with the overall GB and overseas caseload from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.
2.Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
3.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
4.A basic state pension is not normally paid to someone who is entitled to less than 25 per cent. of a full basic state pension.
5.Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant Office for National Statistics postcode directory.
6.A full basic state pension as at 31 March 2005 was £79.60.
Source:
DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample.
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of women pensioners in Gravesham constituency are (a) in receipt of a full basic state pension, (b) in receipt of a basic state pension of (i) 75 per cent. to 99 per cent., (ii) 50 per cent. to 74 per cent., (iii) 25 per cent. to 49 per cent. and (iv) 1 per cent. to 24 per cent. of the value of a full basic state pension and (c) not entitled to any basic state pension. [28377]
Mr. Timms: The information is not available in the form requested as population estimates are not available at constituency level. The information in the table shows the number of women in receipt of basic state pension in the Gravesham constituency.
(48)Based on very few sample cases and subject to a wide degree of sampling variation.
Notes:
1.Data are taken from 5 per cent. sample, therefore figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. They are also adjusted to be consistent with the overall GB and overseas caseload from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.
2.Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
3.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
4.A basic state pension is not normally paid to someone who is entitled to less than 25 per cent. of a full basic state pension.
5.Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant Office for National Statistics postcode directory.
6.A full basic state pension as at 31 March 2005 was £79.60.
Source:
DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample.
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