Tag: 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Single Payments on 30th June 1986.

Mr. Corbett Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state (a) how many single payments have been made under regulation 28 of the Supplementary Benefit (Single Payments) Regulations for each year since November 1981 to the following categories of claimants: (i) pensioners, (ii) unemployed, (iii) sick and disabled, (iv) single parents and (v) others, (b) the cost by year and on average for each category, (c) how many of these payments have been made to the long-term unemployed, (d) how much it is expected to save by its abolition and (e) how much under or overestimation should be taken into account in the figures.

Mr. Major I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Severe Weather Payments on 30th June 1986.

Mr. Pike Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for severe weather payments have been made in the current year at his Department’s offices in Burnley; and how many were successful.

Mr. Major Separate information on the number of claims for exceptionally severe weather payments is not collected. Information on the number of payments made this year is not yet available. When the period during which payments are likely to be made is over, local offices will be asked to make a return, so that the total number of payments can be calculated.

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on EC Nationals (Social Security) on 27th June 1986.

Mr. John Mark Taylor Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the social security entitlements of European Economic Community visitors to the United Kingdom looking for work.

Mr. Major European Community (EC) nationals looking for work in the United Kingdom may, if they have been receiving unemployment benefit in another EC country, continue to receive that benefit for up to 13 weeks here, subject to certain conditions laid down in EC rules. They may also claim means-tested social assistance benefits, such as supplementary benefit, under the same conditions as United Kingdom nationals. However, in these circumstances they may be asked to leave the United Kingdom on the ground that they have become a charge on public funds.

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Departmental Publications (Welsh Language) on 27th June 1986.

Mr. Wigley Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to his answer of 13 June to the hon. Member for Caernarfon, Official Report, column 365, he will state what constitutes economic viability in the context of decisions on whether to print bilingual Welsh/English forms, leaflets, posters and other printed matter produced by his Department in Wales.

Mr. Major The decision on the economic viability of translating Department of Health and Social Security forms, leaflets and posters into the Welsh language depends on the frequency of demand. If the Department receives or anticipates, regular requests for a particular item it would, as a general rule, consider this as justifying the expense of translation, reproduction and distribution to local offices. This judgment is made by local and regional management.

Below is the text of the Written Parliamentary Answer on Housing Benefit from 26 June 1986.

Mr. Hargreaves asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount of resources committed by his Department to Hyndburn in the form of a housing benefit for the years 1984–85 and 1985–86.

Mr. Major Subsidy payments to Hyndburn borough council for benefits granted under the housing benefits scheme amounted to about £3,890,000 in 1984–85 and £4,360,000 in 1985–86. The figures for 1985–86 is based on the council’s estimated expenditure and is subject to revision.

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Single Payments on 26th June 1986.

Mr. Frank Field Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (a) how many single payments have been made under regulation 28 of the Supplementary Benefit (Single Payments) Regulations for each year since November 1981 to the following categories of claimants: (i) pensioners, (ii) unemployed, (iii) sick and disabled, (iv) single parents and (v) others, (b) the cost by year and on average for each category, (c) how many of these payments have been made to the long-term unemployed, (d) how much the Government expect to save by their abolitions and (e) what is the margin of error which should be taken into account in the figures.

Mr. Nellist Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state (a) how many single payments have been made under regulation 28 of the Supplementary Benefit (Single Payments) Regulations for each year since November 1981 to the following categories of claimants: (i) pensioners, (ii) unemployed, (iii) sick and disabled, (iv) single parents and (v) others, (b) what was the cost, by year and on average for each category, (c) how many of these payments have been made to the long-term unemployed, (d) how much Her Majesty’s Government expect to save by the abolition and (e) what is the margin of error in the figures.

Mr. Major I shall let the hon. Members have a reply as soon as possible.

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Mortgage Interest on 26th June 1986.

Mr. Meacher Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has on assistance with mortgage interest payments provided for persons on supplementary benefit, or the equivalent, in EEC and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

Mr. Major We have no detailed comprehensive information about the assistance with mortgage interest payments given to persons receiving social assistance in all European Community and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. From the information we do have we understand the following countries provide some direct cash assistance with housing costs to home buyers (and tenants) subject to specified conditions:

Australia
France
Germany
Ireland
New Zealand

and the following countries provide help for tenants only:

Denmark
Netherlands
Sweden.

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Rent and Rates (Rebates and Allowances) on 25th June 1986.

Mr. John Fraser Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in Lambeth are now receiving rent and rate rebates and rent allowances and as to how many are certificated claims.

Mr. Major On the basis of estimates supplied by Lambeth Borough Council, in connection with their latest housing benefit subsidy claim the number of people receiving rent rebates, rent allowances and rate rebates is:

Type | Certificated | Standard
Rent rebates | 17,500 | 4,600
Rent allowance | 7,784 | 3,860
Rate rebates | 26,498 | 9,880

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Mentally Ill People on 25th June 1986.

Mr. Irving Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action has been taken to improve the training of his Department’s staff in the recognition and appropriate handling of mentally ill clients.

Mr. Major The initial and subsequent developmental training of all the Department’s Social Security local office staff who deal with the public, is geared to the recognition and appropriate handling of clients with particular problems, including the mentally ill.

To reinforce this message, in April this year, a specially commissioned video training package entitled “Ready, Willing and Able” was issued for use to all local offices. The aim of the material is to produce a heightened awareness of the differing needs of clients with disabilities, and to provide practical advice on improving the service provided. It includes specific coverage of the particular needs of people with mental handicaps. The video film was produced with the valued assistance of several voluntary organisations, including MENCAP, and the film commentary was read by Sir Brian Rix.