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8 Dec 2005 : Column 1551W—continued
Pension Reform
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether it is his policy to increase the state pension age to 67; and if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for pension reform. [33631]
Mr. Timms: The Pensions Commission's Second Report published on 30 November 2005 includes recommendations to Government on raising the state pension age over time.
As far as the specific recommendations are concerned, the Government are ruling nothing in and nothing out. Ministers have asked the Pensions Commission to continue their involvement in the public debate over the next few months. The Government will work toward, republication of a white paper in the spring which will set out their response.
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Pensioners
Mr. David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many female pensioners in Midlothian are in receipt of the full basic state pension. [35261]
Mr. Timms: The number of female pensioners in the Midlothian parliamentary constituency who are in receipt of a full basic state pension as at 31 March 2005 is 4,600.
1.Data is 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. 4.Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant Office for National Statistics postcode directory.
DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample.
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners have been entitled to either income support or pension credit in each year since 1990; how many claimed it in each year; and what percentage did not claim in each year. [35647]
Mr. Timms: Estimates of the number of pensioners entitled to Income Support, the comparable number of recipients and the associated percentage rates of take-up can be found in the DWP report series: Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up". Copies of the annual series are held in the Library.
The latest report relates to financial year 2002–03 and pre-dates the introduction of pension credit. The report presents patterns in the take-up of pensioners' income support/minimum income guarantee between 1997–98 and 2002–03.
Information on numbers of households and individuals in receipt of pension credit at 30 June 2005 is contained in the most recent quarterly pension credit progress report published on 20 October. A copy of the report is also in the Library. The report containing the first six months following the introduction of pension credit, Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2003/2004" will be released on 19 December 2005 and will contain estimates of take-up.
Winter Fuel Payments
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he is taking to speed up the payment of the winter fuel allowance. [35505]
Mr. Timms:
The winter fuel payment is issued as quickly as possible following the September qualifying week and subsequent matching exercise to determine entitlement and level of payment. Payments go out over several weeks and commenced in early November. The majority of payments, including all automatic payments, will be made by Christmas.
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Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about increasing the winter fuel allowance. [35507]
Mr. Timms: The Chancellor has announced that the winter fuel payment will continue at the current rate for the remainder of this Parliament. The payment provides a significant contribution towards fuel cost.
John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people will receive the winter fuel payment in the Leeds, West constituency in 2005–06. [35125]
Mr. Timms: For winter 2004–05 there were 14,035 people in the Leeds, West constituency who received a winter fuel payment. We expect the numbers for winter 2005–06 to be similar. This information for winter 2004–05 is also available in the Library.
1.Figures are rounded to the nearest five. 2.Local authorities and parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
Information Directorate, 100 per cent. Sample
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Australia (Domestic Violence)
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many immigration cases have involved allegations of domestic violence in Australia in the past three years; [35087]
(2) how many women accompanied by their children who have fled alleged domestic violence in Australia have been (a) granted visas to stay in the United Kingdom and (b) had their children returned to Australia against their wishes in the last three years. [35088]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 6 December 2005]: Our visa issuing post in Canberra, which handles all applications for entry clearance to the United Kingdom from Australia, has no statistics of applications from individuals who might have been involved in domestic violence.
Although it is possible that some individuals seeking entry clearance for the UK may be victims of domestic violence, there is no provision under the Immigration Rules for entry to the UK on these grounds. There is therefore no requirement or incentive for an applicant seeking entry clearance at any of our visa issuing missions overseas to declare that they have been subject to domestic violence, as their applications will be considered on other grounds.
Jurisdiction on the return of nationals to their home country belongs with the Home Office.
BBC World Service
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) benchmarks and (b) indicators have been set by which to judge the effectiveness of the planned BBC World Service Arabic television news channel. [34929]
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Ian Pearson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently in discussions with the BBC World Service about all its performance measures to be in place from April 2006. It is anticipated that measures for the BBC Arabic Television service will include indicators on reach, impact (including reputation), quality and value for money among target audiences in key areas throughout the region.
Broadcasting (Illegal Jamming)
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions have been held between the US State Department and the UK Government on representations each Government has made to the Libyan Government over the recent jamming of communication satellites Telstar 12 and Hotbird; and if he will make a statement; [34921]
(2) what representations he has made to the Libyan Government about the jamming of the Telstar 12 and Hotbird communication satellites since September; and if he will make a statement; [34923]
(3) what assessment he has made of Libya's compliance with the International Telecommunications regulations of the United Nations International Telecommunications Union (a) within Libya and (b) with reference to jamming of the Telstar 12 and Hotbird communications satellites; and if he will make a statement; [34925]
(4) what discussions the Government had with (a) broadcasting authorities and (b) Loral Skynet on (i) disruption of commercial and Government data circuits and (ii) restoration of Sowt Alamel's broadcasting services via the Telstar 12 and Hotbird satellites; and if he will make a statement; [34926]
(5) what impact the recent interruption of the Telstar12 and Hotbird communication satellites had on Government communications. [34927]
Dr. Howells: We have been informed that the Telstar 12 satellite has experienced some technical interference and note it has been alleged that the interference has originated from Libya. Our understanding is that, if true, the allegedaction might be a breach of the International Telecommunications Regulations of the United Nations International Telecommunications Union.
Government communications may have been disrupted and we are investigating the matter further. Following discussions with the United States authorities, the Office of Communications and Loral Skynet, the British ambassador in Tripoli raised the issue with the Libyan authorities at senior level.
The Government continue to work to eliminate barriers to freedom of expression and information and to create an environment in which free speech and free media flourish.
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