| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Simplification Project
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the findings of the Simplification Project. [109365]
Angela Eagle:
I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 9 February 2000, Official Report, column 210W.
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 438W
Mr. Webb:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the implications of the Data Protection Act 1986 for his plans to issue combined forecasts of state and private pension entitlements. [109843]
Mr. Rooker:
In developing our plans for combined pension forecasts we have considered carefully the data
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 439W
protection implications and consulted the Data Protection Registrar.
We intend to include a measure in the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill which will provide that details of State pension rights can be passed to employers and pension scheme providers unless individuals have indicated that they do not want such information disclosed. This measure will include safeguards to ensure that individual rights are properly protected while minimising the administrative burden on employers and pension providers of providing the new service.
Mr. Webb:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to prevent sellers of stakeholder pensions from declining to make their products available to certain categories of employees. [109841]
Mr. Rooker:
Stakeholder pension schemes set up under a trust will be able to restrict membership based on employment with a particular employer, or membership
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 440W
of a given trade or organisation. However, they will not be able to limit access using financial criteria. Details for alternative governance schemes are currently being developed and we will be making an announcement regarding them shortly.
Mr. Gale:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals were heard by the Independent Tribunal Service and the Appeals Service in (a) May 1997 to April 1998 and (b) May 1998 to April 1999; how many of the appeals in each of the years were successful; what was the total amount paid in benefit arrears arising from those appeals for each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [109820]
Angela Eagle:
The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
An enhanced computer system that allows the Appeals Service to record appeals and produce statistical information became operational at the end of 1997.
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 439W
| Period | Number of appeals heard and decided | Decided in appellant's favour | Proportion of successful appeals (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1998 to 30 April 1999 | 276,074 | 96,450 | 34.9 |
Source:
100 per cent. download of the Appeals Service Generic Appeals Processing System (GAPS).
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 439W
The limited information available for the period 1 May 1997 to 30 April 1998 is included in the following table.
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 440W
(44) Information obtained from GAPS system introduced at the end of 1997. Some cases processed before GAPS became operational, and not recorded on other systems, were input to GAPS.
(45) This information has been obtained from clerically maintained quarterly statistical reports of Social Security Appeals Tribunals that were kept until the introduction of the GAPS system.
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 439W
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 439W
Information about the amount of benefit arrears paid following appeals that found in favour of appellants is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Salmond:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will reply to the letter of 5 November 1999 from the hon. member for Banff and Buchan regarding benefit payments and rural post offices. [110011]
Mr. Rooker:
A reply was issued to the hon. Member on Friday 11 February.
Mr. Gale:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when claim forms for the winter fuel payments will be made available. [109821]
Angela Eagle:
The decision to extend the Winter Fuel Payment scheme to people aged 60 and over will mean that some of those who are newly eligible will need to
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 440W
claim. It is therefore necessary to devise a claims process to enable these people to make their claims. The Benefits Agency are currently working on this and other operational issues to determine the best way to deliver the payments.
There is no need for anyone who believes they may now be eligible for a payment to contact the Benefits Agency at present. A further announcement will be made as soon as we are ready to set out how people should claim.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with Manchester City Council on the provision of music library services in the north-west. [109320]
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 441W
Mr. Chris Smith
[holding answer 10 February 2000]: Officials in my Department have been in contact with their opposite numbers at Manchester City Council to discuss their proposed reorganisation of the Central Library and its effect on the Henry Watson Music Library. I understand that no final decisions have been taken by the Council but, under the proposals, the Henry Watson collection would remain intact.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the Funding Agreement between his Department and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. [110118]
Mr. Chris Smith:
A copy of the Funding Agreement of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLAC) will be placed in the Library of the House, and will also be published on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's website when it is concluded and available. Mainstream Funding begins to flow to MLAC in the next financial year.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the funding agreements between his Department and each of the non-departmental public bodies and national museums and galleries which are sponsored by the Department. [110109]
Mr. Chris Smith:
Copies of the funding agreements between my Department and its non-departmental public bodies were placed in the Library of the House on 26 May 1999. They are also available on my Department's website--www.culture.gov.uk.
Mr. Willis:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the number and value of contracts let by his Department since May 1997 to external consultants and advisers for the management of competitive tendering processes. [109451]
Mr. Chris Smith
[holding answer 10 February 2000]: My Department has let one contract specifically for such services at a value of £3,000 per annum.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to support measures to bar Burma from participating in this summer's Olympic Games; and if he will make a statement. [109804]
Kate Hoey:
It is the responsibility of the International Olympic Committee and the Games organisers to set the rules for participation in the Olympics.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last visited the Millennium Dome. [109469]
Mr. Chris Smith
[holding answer 10 February 2000]: I attended the Dome Opening Celebration on 31 December 1999.
14 Feb 2000 : Column: 442W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the date by which all of the Dome's sponsors will have signed contracts with NMEC. [104432]
Mr. Chris Smith
[holding answer 13 January 2000]: Seven contracts were outstanding and reported to the House in my reply to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 14 December 1999, Official Report, column 131W. Four of these contracts have now been signed and three remain to be signed at 10 February--Boots, Mars Confectionary and BSkyB. While NMEC had hoped that they would all have been completed at this stage, one or two matters of detail remain subject to discussion between the representative parties. The company has every confidence that the contracts will be signed.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if (a) he and (b) other Millennium Commissioners, were consulted about the appointment of the new Chief Executive of the New Millennium Experience Company. [109471]
Mr. Chris Smith
[holding answer 10 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |