asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any family planning clinics for children of 12 years and upwards have been opened under area health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what involvement with parents his Department advises when funding contraception for children under the age of consent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much money is provided by his Department for the provision of contraceptive services for minors.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether in any family planning clinics for children under the age of consent opening under area health authorities, there is provision for the parents of the children to be consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information is available to him of the extent to which counselling is provided for children under the age of consent before they are provided with contraceptive devices by the organisations funded by the Government so to do.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the planning guidelines issued in March 1978 to health authorities referred to in the Written Answer to Lord Somers on 25th April in the House of Lords.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any clinics to provide children under the age of consent with contraceptive devices have been opened with Government funding.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what circumstances family planning clinics run by area health authorities would provide contraceptives to children under the age of consent, without consulting the child's parents.

My Department's policy on the provision of family planning services, including the arrangements for giving advice and treatment to the young, is set out in a Health Service circular HSC(IS)32 and an accompanying memorandum of guidance. A reference to the importance of developing services for the young was included also in health circular HC(78)12—DHSS planning guidelines for 1978–79. A copy of both documents has been placed in the Library.The principal aim of the service is to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Accordingly, our policy is that the arrangements made by health authorities for providing this service should encourage all those in need of contraceptive advice and treatment, including young people, to seek such advice. The advice and treatment given in any particular case is a matter for the doctor concerned. In the memorandum of guidance doctors are reminded of the advice given by the Medical Defence Union that the parents of a child who has sought advice and treatment should not be contacted without the child's permission it is acknowledged in the memorandum that refusal to give such permission might affect the nature of the advice given to the child. At the same time it is made clear that, in our view, it would always be prudent to seek the patient's consent to tell the parents when the patient is under 16 years of age.The arrangements chosen for providing family planning services for the young are a matter for individual health authorities, who are not required to submit to the Department details of the nature or scale of the arrangements nor of their cost. In our guidance we encourage counselling services for the young as an adjunct to contraceptive services and ask health authorities to consider such provision in liaison with local authorities and other public and voluntary bodies. Where these services are provided by voluntary bodies such as the Brook advisory centres this is by arrangement with the health authorities concerned and funded by them from their general revenue allocation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what financial assistance is available to enable relatives of children in long-term hospital care to make regular visits.

Local authorities have certain powers to assist parents to visit their children in hospital. There are also voluntary organisations willing to help, and some hospitals make private funds available. For parents on supplementary benefit, the cost of regular visits to a child in hospital is taken into account when entitlement to benefit is assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what extra provision he intends to make for kidney patients in Merseyside.

Funds have already been made available to Mersey regional health authority for increasing the number of children treated by haemodialysis in the region, and the costs of two new minimal care dialysis units, from the additional funds made available in the budget for the expansion of dialysis facilities. A further minimal care unit is to be established from special medical development funds. These developments will enable between 30–35 more patients to be treated.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will pay an official visit to St. John's Hospital, Uxbridge.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the criteria of eligibility for supplementary benefit.

The Government have no plans for changing the criteria for eligibility for supplementary benefit but are always willing to consider suggestions for simplifying and improving the administration of the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the growing volume of objection to the establishment of mixed wards in hospitals, he will issue a directive to all the health authorities to end this practice.

No, Sir. Mixed wards have been in use in hospitals for some years. In mental illness hospitals they have been found to have positive advantage for many patients, and elsewhere they have advantages in terms of economy and efficiency. I would always expect appropriate standards of privacy to be maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further action is proposed to inform disabled people of the social benefits to which they are now entitled.

My Department seeks to make known to disabled people all the benefits available to them, both directly and indirectly through their organisations. We also seek help from professional workers and other individuals, including Members of Parliament, who are in close touch with disabled people. I am always ready to consider new ideas.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to change the situation whereby a claimant for maternity benefit may be refused on the ground that she had previously applied for sickness benefit within the relevant period for contributions and been refused.

I recognise that the present rules for satisfying contribution conditions for short-term benefits can occasionally have an adverse effect, as has occurred in the particular case to which the hon. Member has drawn attention. I am prepared to consider whether any change in the present arrangements is desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects next to meet the chairman of the British Dental Association.

I have no plans at present to meet representatives of the British Dental Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the cleaning and auxiliary services in National Health Service hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

As my right hon. Friend has indicated in his replies to a number of Previous Questions from the hon. Member on this subject, it is the responsibility of the health authorities to ensure that satisfactory arrangements are made for domestic services in hospitals. If the hon. Member has in mind any particular case where he considers the cleaning and auxiliary services to be inadequate, I should be grateful if he would let me have details.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with present arrangements relating to attendance allowances for relatives of kidney machine patients.

I am at present awaiting a decision from the national insurance commissioner on an application for leave to appeal against a decision from the Attendance Allowance Board in a case concerning a haemodialysis patient's entitlement to attendance allowance. It would be inappropriate for me to comment before the commissioner's decision is known.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will introduce a system of inducement payments into the salary structure of National Health Service hospital consultants in areas where shortages are causing unreasonably long delays in carrying out necessary operations.

The new contract proposals, which have now been accepted in principle by the professions, provide for appointments to be made to the top of the consultant salary scale in posts which prove hard to fill.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many part-time and whole-time staff are employed by the National Health Service.

At 31st March 1978, the latest date for which figures are available, health authorities in England employed about 572,000 whole-time staff and about 346,000 part-time staff. The figures exclude all practitioner services. They also exclude staff employed at the Dental Estimates Board and Prescription Pricing Authority, where there were 2,970 whole-time and 1,009 part-time staff at 30th September 1977, the latest date for which figures are available for these staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any person in Eltham has supported the proposal to close either the in-patient beds or the entire Eltham and Mottingham Hospital.

My Department has not received any representations in support of these proposals from residents of Eltham.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the level of income support for one-parent families.

No. This is why the Government have proposed a number of improvements in the social security field which will produce a very significant rise in the level of income support for one-parent families—namely, increases of child benefit in November this year and in April 1979; doubling of the one-parent family premium in November; and increases of widowed mother's allowance, supplementary benefit and other social security benefits which help one-parent families, also in November.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current percentage of Health Service resources being devoted to administration.

The percentage of expenditure incurred by health authorities in England attributable to headquarters administration in 1976–77, the latest year for which figures are available centrally, was 4·36.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what facilities are available for prospective disabled drivers to have driving lessons before purchasing or hiring an adapted car.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has discussed with Motability the inclusion in its scheme of provision for disabled prospective drivers to have driving lessons in an adapted car before purchasing or leasing a vehicle.

I understand that some driving schools, including the British School of Motoring, can offer special arrangements for teaching disabled people to drive. I would expect that such facilities will develop as more and more disabled people are able to take advantage of the mobility allowance, which was increased to £10 a week from 5th July. I understand that Motability has had discussions with the British School of Motoring about driving tuition and that these have covered the question of availability of suitably adapted cars.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider the possibility of setting up a fully salaried dental service for National Health Service patients based on group practice principles, backed by fully salaried ancillary services.

The concept of a fully salaried general dental service is not new. There are advantages and disadvantages in both the current fee for item-of-service system and in payment by salary. However, of these two alternatives the balance at present remains in favour of the fee-based system, which on the one hand helps to preserve dental practitioners independent status and on the other provides the NHS with a cost-effective service. I understand that increasingly such practitioners are practising in groups of two or more.The fee-based system has been in existence since the start of the NHS and has had the continuous support of the profession's representatives, the British Dental Association, with whom any fundamental changes would, of course, have to be agreed. I understand that the great majority of general dental practitioners prefer the present system, although dentists may apply to provide general dental services on a salaried basis in health centres with equipment, the services of ancillary staff and other facilities provided by the health authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the progress of redistribution of resources within the National Health Service.

The pace of change to a fairer distribution of resources for hospital and community health services between and within the health regions in England is governed by economic constraints and the time needed to plan effective redeployment of resources without damaging important existing services. I shall not be satisfied until an improving national economy allows us to devote more resources to the NHS and speed up the progress to fairer shares.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the death rate of social class 1 as compared with social class 5.

In England and Wales during the years 1970–72, the death rate for infants under one year of age in social class V was approximately two-and-a-half times as high as in social class I, and for children 1–14 years—twice as high. For adults aged 15–64, the male rate is approximately 80 per cent, higher for social class V than for social class I, and for married females—classified by their husband's social class—approximately 70 per cent. higher. These last two figures take account of the differing age structure of the men and women in the various social classes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made with consumer consultation on supplementary benefits following the report by Mrs. Ann Richardson of Chelsea College, University of London.

The recommendation in this report that two trial groups should be set up has been accepted in principle. Consideration is now being given, in consultation with staff representatives, to the location of the groups and their terms of reference. The groups will be concerned with all users of local offices and not just supplementary benefit claimants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to reduce hospital waiting lists; and if he will make a statement.

Since reaching a peak in December 1976, the waiting list for hospital in-patient admission has fallen for each of the three quarters for which figures are available. It still stands at an unacceptably high level and I shall continue with health authorities actively to seek ways of achieving further reductions. Additional funds for this purpose were announced in the Budget Statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many urgent cases are awaiting admission to National Health Service hospitals in Great Britain.

This figure is only collected for England. On 30th September 1977—the latest date for which figures are available—it was 40,257; 6·6 per cent. of the total awaiting treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has now received the report of the national insur- ance commissioner on the appeal of Mrs. M. Broomfield.

As my hon. Friend will now be aware, the national insurance commissioner held an oral hearing on 4th July, 1978, in connection with Mrs. Broomfield's application for leave to appeal against the decision given on behalf of the Attendance Allowance Board. We are now awaiting his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in the light of the shortage of speech therapists in the Bromley area and elsewhere, what steps he is taking to encourage a higher level of national recruitment to this service.

The report of the committee of inquiry into the speech therapy services—the Quirk report—issued in 1972, recommended that there should be 350 training places each year by 1982 at the latest. The intake in 1972 was 254 but for 1977 was 350, the target suggested in the Quirk report. Although there is a shortage of speech therapists in some areas, this increase in student intakes should, subject to the availability of resources, be reflected in due course in an increase in recruitment by health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of speech therapists currently employed in the National Health Service; whether there are any plans for this figure to be increased; and if he will make a statement.

At 30th September 1976, the latest date for which comprehensive figures for Great Britain are available, the number of speech therapists employed—whole-time equalivalents—in the NHS was 1,434. This represents an increase of about 530 since 1972, when the Quirk report on speech therapy services was published. Further growth is envisaged for future years towards the long-term targets that were envisaged in that report. Student intakes to the training schools have already reached the level of 350 places which were set in the report as targets for 1982 and this can be expected to result in an increase in the number of qualified speech therapists employed in the NHS over the next few years.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average length of time between the receipt of an application for a death grant and payment being made in 1977.

I regret that information is not available regarding the average length of time between the receipt of an application for death grant and payment being made. A straightforward claim could expect to be dealt with within seven days but when further information is required—for example, confirmation of grant or probate—it could take longer. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and cares to provide details, I shall gladly look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further steps he is taking to discourage smoking.

The Government's strategy for discouraging people, particularly the young, from starting to smoke cigarettes, and for encouraging existing smokers to stop, was set out in some detail in chapter III of the White Paper "Prevention and Health" (Cmnd. 7047), published in December 1977. I am confident that the vigorous and consistent pursuit of the policies outlined in the White Paper, together with the continuing work of the Health Education Council, will lead to further significant reductions in the cigarette habit and, in consequence, decreases in loss of life and damage to health from smoking-related diseases.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the fact that less than 10 per cent. of the money allocated by his Department to regional health authorities for expenditure on regional secure units for mentally ill patients has been spent on the purpose for which it was allocated.

I ought to make it clear that capital funds for regional secure unit schemes have not been allocated in advance. The necessary funds—estimated eventually to total £14 million at 1975 prices—will be made available to individual regional health authorities each year as estimates are approved. No permanent units have yet been built and capital expenditure has so far been incurred only on interim units and on preliminary fees in connection with the permanent units now in planning.Revenue funds, amounting to £5·2 million in all at 1976–77 prices, have, however, been allocated to health authorities in advance. The allocations were first made in 1976–77 and are adjusted each year to take account of price rises. They are made on an annual recurring basis as part of health authorities' general revenue allocations. It was recognised that it would be difficult for most regions to provide secure facilities immediately and, where it has not been possible to use all of the special allocations either for secure units or for interim secure arrangements, regional health authorities have been urged to make good use of these funds for other short-term projects, and as far as possible on services for the mentally ill. It has been emphasised that use of the allocations for other purposes must be strictly on a temporary basis, so that they can be used for the purpose intended as soon as this becomes practicable.It would be unrealistic not to accept that it will be some time before every region has a secure unit in full operation. I am, however, asking regional health authorities for a report on how their special revenue allocations were spent in 1977–78 and will be considering whether any change in the present arrangements is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning the Pearson report; and if he will make a statement.

Representations have been received from a number of organisations, including the TUC, CBI and groups representing the disabled, on those aspects of the Pearson report which are of particular concern to my Department. The report, however, spans the responsibilities of many Government Departments and the Government's reaction to the commission's recommendations is being considered in that wider context, taking into account all the representations that have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the fact that the present formula for the distribution of financial resources deprives hospitals of their proper allocation in areas where there is a high proportion of teaching hospitals, and that the South-East Thames health area is so affected, he will provide funds to alleviate this situation and to reduce the long waiting lists for hospital beds which at present exist in that area.

It has not been found practicable to devise a formula for distribution of resources to individual hospitals. This is a matter for decision by the responsible health authority in the light of local circumstances and competing demands. Allocations to area and regional health authorities in England are influenced by a quantified assessment of relative need for resources following a formula recommended by the Resource Allocation Working Party: but they are finally determined by a subjective judgment which takes account of this assessment and of other factors. Allocations include, however, a service increment for teaching related to numbers of medical and dental students in recognition of the inescapable additional costs of providing facilities for clinical education.The South-East Thames region is shown by the quantified assessment to have been receiving substantially more than its objective share of the resources available nationally, but, having in mind considerations such as those mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, I have nevertheless allowed the region a small increase in its revenue allocation in 1977–78 and again this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is now in a position to make a further statement on his policy regarding retirement age.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 13th June 1978—[Vol. 951, c. 821–2.] The Government published a discussion document, "A Happier Old Age", which we hope will form the basis of a public debate about retirement age, amongst other things of concern to the elderly. It would be wrong to form a view about policy without taking account of the response to the discussion document.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met representatives of the nursing profession.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met representatives of the nursing profession.

I last formally met representatives of the nursing profession on 5th June at the conference of the Royal College of Nursing. I have informally met representatives of the profession on several occasions since then, not least during my stay in the Westminster Hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the level of pre-school playgroup provision for children under five years of age.

No. I welcome the expansion of the playgroup movement and am anxious that it should continue. In a joint circular letter issued earlier this year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and I asked local authorities to examine how support and guidance for playgroups could best be provided, and I am this year providing grants of over £200,000 to voluntary bodies to assiest with the development of playgroups.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to seek to amend the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act.

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind an amendment that would alter the method of enforcing section 2 of the Act. I am now considering this, in consultation with my colleagues, and have put in hand a detailed examination of the implications of the Court of Appeal's recent judgment in the case of Wyatt v. the London borough of Hillingdon. The issues are complex and there will be a need to consult all the various interests concerned. In particular, I shall be arranging to discuss them with my hon. Friend and other representatives of the All-Party Disablement Group in the House.Meanwhile, I shall continue the practice of investigating all individual cases which are referred to my Department. I shall also be continuing to emphasise the advice given to me that it is illegal for a local authority to remove a service from any disabled person without diminution of need.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision he intends to make for those in receipt of mobility allowance when they pass the age of retirement; and if lie will make a statement.

To waive the present age rules for mobility allowance would involve a substantial increase in public expenditure. The Government are fully aware of the claim for the allowance to be paid regardless of age. Such claims have to be weighed both against other proposals put forward to the Government for improvements in benefits and services for the disabled and all other proposals for increases in public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will simplify the system of supplementary benefit.

The report of the review of the supplementary benefits scheme, which we are publishing, includes many options aimed at simplifying the scheme and making it easier to understand and administer.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to which health authorities he has written concerning their high perinatal or infant mortality rates in 1977; what response he has received to date; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement in reply to his Question on 20th June, in which I referred to the action being taken by my Department in the context of this year's planning guidlines to health authorities and of the preparation of regional strategic plans which are due to be submitted in January 1979 and in which regional health authorities have already been asked to include detailed proposals for the improvement of perinatal and infant mortality in areas with persistently poor figures.—[Vol. 952, c. 167.] Health authorities will already have this task in hand and I will write to my hon. Friend when I have decided what form any additional approach to them should take.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the morale of those who work in the personal social services.

Each local social services authority is responsible for the employ meat of its own social services staff and the morale of the staff will naturally vary in different authorities according to the resources made available and the quality of leadership of the local authority.Social services staff are dedicated to helping those most in need and their morale will be affected by the availability of resources, the pressures of their work and the opportunities they have for exercising their skills to the full. I am satisfied that, despite the heavy work load many staff have to bear and the gap between need and resources, they generally maintain a high morale and a high standard of service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he hopes to announce his decision regarding establishing permanently the regional neurosurgical unit at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead, London, N.W.3.

This is a complex matter and I cannot yet say when I shall be able to reach a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the increase in employee's class I national insurance contributions in each year since 1967, in both monetary and percentage terms.

The changes since 1967 in the contributions payable by employees

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the increase in expenditure on the personal social services between 1975–76 and 1976–77 at 1977 survey prices.

The England component of the figures included in Table 2.11 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1978–79 to 1981–82" (Cmnd 7049-H) shows a reduction of £20·8 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total number of additional beds created in private hospitals in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many pay beds were phased out of National Health Service hospitals during the same period.

Beds in private hospitals and nursing homes in England registered under the Nursing Homes Act 1975 increased by 794 between December 1976

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds are in use and available currently as compared with the position in 1974.

The figures for England are:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present position in regard to hospital waiting lists in the Rotherham area health authority.

At 28th June 1978 the numbers awaiting admission, and, of those the numbers that had been waiting one year or more, were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pay beds in the National Health Service in England and Wales, which have been designated for use as free beds, remained unused at 31st December 1977.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for South East Essex (Sir B. Braise) on 24th February.—[Vol. 944, c. 835–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy on the place of homoeopathy in the National Health Service.

In accordance with undertakings given by successive Ministers it is to see that facilities for homoeopathic treatment are available under the National Health Service as long as there are doctors willing to practise it and patients wishing to receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why it is necessary for married women to inform his Department in writing that they wish to opt for a different rate of national insurance contribution when the altered contribution itself is evidence of their preference; and if he will make a statement.

There is no general right of married women to choose which rate of contribution to pay. The only right which now exists is for a woman who is entitled to pay reduced contributions to choose to pay the full rate. As any such decision is final, my right hon. Friend is concerned that the decision should be based on knowledge of the consequences. A woman intending to change to full liability is therefore asked to complete the appropriate form which is available at our local offices as part of a leaflet providing detailed guidance on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what timetable has been suggested to voluntary organisations and others for their response to the consultative documents on the elderly.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Paddington (Mr. Latham).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now refer the dispute with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee to arbitration.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the debate in the House on pharmacists on 29th June.—[Vol. 955, c. 1652–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met a representative of the Disablement Income Group.

I and my officials have frequent and informal contacts with representatives and members of the Disablement Income Group.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures available for the number of people who have sought social security help to meet the cost of funerals; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that information is not available on the number of requests made to the Supplementary Benefits Commission for help with funeral expenses; but table 7.4 of the Commission's annual report for 1976 (Cmnd. 6910) gives the most recent figures available on the number of exceptional needs payments made for funeral expenses. For figures on the national insurance death grant, I refer my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Latham) on 21st April 1978.—[Vol. 948, c. 399–400.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made by the "Helping You to Better Health" campaign; and if he will make a statement.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the "Look After Yourself" campaign mounted by the Health Education Council. I understand that the campaign has got off to an excellent start. The main object of the campaign, which is being financed from the additional money we have made available to the council for the years 1977–78 and 1978–79, is to encourage members of the public to adopt healthier living habits. The first phase of the campaign was launched in mid-January. It is concerned mainly with diet, exercise, and smoking and health, and hinges on television commercials and press advertisements. A special pack of pamphlets and other literature was offered to the public; 670,000 members of the public wrote in for packs, and health and local authorities and voluntary bodies have ordered over 5,000,000 items from the pack for use in connection with local activities organised in support of the campaign. Several large commercial undertakings are featuring the campaign.The campaign will remain a central feature of the council's operational activities over the next year or so. The second phase, which began recently, represents a slight shift of emphasis from exercise to diet, using the same basic pack materials and involving further advertising on television and in other media.

Thomas asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in reducing the cost of drug prescribing in hospitals.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he remains satisfied with the present system whereby foreigners who have not previously lived in the United Kingdom or paid taxes in the United Kingdom may be eligible for British social security benefits.

Yes, Sir. The main benefit not subject to contribution or residence tests is supplementary benefit, and on that I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis) on 13th February.—[Vol. 944, c. 15.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assistance is available for people wishing to trace genetically transmitted diseases through previous generations of their family; and if he will make a statement.

Anyone who has reason to be concerned that there is a risk of genetically transmitted disease in his family should consult his general practitioner who may in an appropriate case refer him for expert advice to one of the specialist genetic advisory centres situated throughout the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will waive all search charges for people wishing to trace genetically transmitted disease through previous generations of their family; and if he will make a statement.

I am advised by the Registrar General that he has no power to waive statutory fees.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the price of lenses supplied by the hospital service and those payable to opticians before and after 1st July 1978; what advice he has given to health authorities on methods of dealing with claims around this time: and if he will make a statement.

A circular giving area health authorities full details of the hospital prices changes effective from 1st July 1978—which are the same as those in the general ophthalmic service—was issued on 13th June 1978; I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Family practitioner committees, which are responsible for administering the general ophthalmic services, were warned on 2nd June 1978 that the prices would change on 1st July 1978. Unfortunately, because of printing delays, the normal printed amendments to the prices in the statement were not sent to FPC's for distribution to opticians until 4th July 1978. When it was clear that there would be delay, full details of the changes were sent to FPCs on 26th June 1978, so that opticians could be paid accordingly from 1st July. Arrangements are being made to prevent a recurrence of these difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange with professional advisory committees to compile figures showing the number of junior hospital doctors who also work in general practitioner deputising services.

I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to phase out charges for prescriptions what percentage of such charges are now free; how many six-monthly and one-year season tickets were issued last year, and if he will make a statement.

It remains our intention to phase out prescription charges when the resources available to the Health Service permit. In England last year 63 per cent. of NHS prescriptions were dispensed without charge and 39,000 six-monthly and 185,000 twelve-monthly prepayment certificates were issued to patients not otherwise exempt from charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the payment was made by the National Health Service to the drug companies of £4,550,000 in 1975– 76 which was subsequently given back because it was an overcharge.

The payments mentioned by my hon. Friend are payments made for medicines prescribed under the NHS. The repayments relate to profits revealed in annual financial returns made under the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme. Most of the £4,550,000 was repaid in accordance with the agreement with Hoffman La Roche announced to the House on 12th November 1975 by my right hon. Friend, the then Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection,—[Vol. 899, c. 1543–7.] The balance of £80,000 consisted of payments under a paragraph of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme which provides that, in the event of negotiations on price changes not being completed within a prescribed period after an annual financial return is due, any change will nevertheless have effect from that date, if necessary by payments or other adjustments having equivalent effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will lay an annual report before Parliament on the operations of Motability.

If Motability, as an independent private company, decides to issue an annual report I shall be pleased to arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library. I have already placed in the Library copies of the public statements so far made by Motability.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the costs of leasing a car through Motability compare with the cost to his Department of issuing a car to war pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

The two schemes are not comparable in many respects. For example, Motability's scheme is based on leasing whilst the Department's arrangements are based on outright purchase. I regret that it is not possible, therefore, to make valid comparisons between the two.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the annual cost of raising the rate of invalid care allowance to that of unemployment benefit.

The gross cost would be about £1 million. It is not possible to give a reliable estimate of the net cost, but there would probably be significant savings on supplementary benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has considered the proposals of the Pearson report, Command Paper No. 7054, regarding compensation for occupational diseases, especially regarding an individual proof system; and if there will be early legislative implementation.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sowerby (Mr. Madden) on 7th July. The question of legislation will be considered when the Industrial injuries Advisory Council has reported on the questions referred to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he has not implemented section 33 of the Children and Young Persons Act.

I think the hon. Member has in mind section 33 of the Children Act 1975, which, together with other provisions of Part II of that Act, relates to custodianship orders. The implementation of these provisions would have resources implications for local authorities and the probation and after-care service. We are in touch with the representative organisations concerned about the likely additional work load, with a view to deciding when it may be possible to bring Part II of the Act into operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many A and A plus merit awards have been made to hospital consultants in the Trent region; and what is the number of these awards per 100,000 population in this region and in the health authorities serving the area of the Greater London Council.

No separate figures are available for the health authorities serv- ing the area of the Greater London Council only, as his area is served in part by the four Thames health regions and the postgraduate teaching hospitals. The information requested—using comprehensive figures for the four Thames regions—is given below:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received the report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on its review of the provisions for occupational deafness under the industrial injuries scheme; and if he will make a statement.

The Council's report is published today (Cmnd. 7266) and contains the Council's findings on its review of the operation of the provisions for occupational deafness and on the question of those processes where noise levels are nearest in severity to those already covered. The Government are considering the report urgently with a view to making an early statement about the possibility of extending the occupational deafness scheme.

asked the Lord President of the Council what accommodation is currently occupied by the Library in the North Curtain area and the area below Mr. Speaker's house by number and size of rooms.

The information is being collected and I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, when next giving consideration to the question of hon. Members' salaries, he will bear in mind that unlike almost every other section of the population their salaries are only worth two-thirds of what they were receiving in 1965 if account is taken of the rise in the index of retail prices.

The Government will continue to take into account all relevant issues in forming proposals on Members' salaries.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, now that the Boyle Committee has reported on top salaries, he will make a statement on the Government's intentions concerning the Boyle Committee's report on Members of Parliaments' salaries and how this latest report will affect them.

The latest report of the Review Body on Top Salaries makes no reference to Members' salaries. I intend to put the Government's proposals on increases in Members' pay before the House shortly.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will publish in the Official Report an analysis of the rooms available to hon. Members in 1973 as described in paragraph 3 of the Seventh Report of the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services) 1972–73 (HC Paper 466) on the same basis as his reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East on 15th March 1978.

The information is being collected and I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Lord President of the Council what is the estimated cost per head of the United Kingdom population per week of the proposed elected Assemblies for Scotland and Wales, respectively.

Rather less than ½p in each case.

asked the Prime Minister if he will seek to place on the agenda at the next meeting of European Heads of Government the need to retain national control over economic and social policies designed to preserve employment and combat inflation.

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made to the House yesterday, and the subsequent exchanges, about the meeting of the European Council which was held in Bremen on 6th and 7th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will dismiss the Secretary of State for Employment.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Conway (Mr. Roberts).

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 11th July.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Shepherd).

asked the Prime Minister pursuant to his Written Answers, Official Report, 23rd May, c. 741, and 22nd June, c. 264, relating to income schemes and welfare benefits, what are the circumstances in which the arrangements for co-ordination arise; and what these arrangements are.

Co-ordination of Government schemes for income maintenance and welfare benefits takes many forms, ranging from formal consultations between Ministers or their senior officials about proposals or issues which affect more than one Department, to routine contacts between Departments in the day-to-day administration of benefits.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay a visit to Exeter.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit Pott Shrigley.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the address he made in the United States of America when he received the first Hubert Humphrey International Award of the National Committee on Foreign Policy.

I did so on 27th June.

asked the Prime Minister when next he will meet the CBI.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thornaby (Mr. Wrigglesworth) on 13th June.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Catford.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make an official visit to Penistone.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay a visit to Slough.

I have at present no plans to do so.

asked the Prime Minister, in the light of the growing practice of leaks to the press from Government Departments as witnessed by the divulging of the Boyle committee on top salaries, the report on police pay, 1½ per cent. surcharge on employers' national insurance contributions and the use of the RAF Fairford base by the United States Air Force, whether he will cause an investigation to be made into these leaks to ascertain to what extent civil servants are responsible on payments from the press for their revelations.

There are established procedures for dealing with breaches of security, including leaks of official information where these are believed to have occurred. In none of the cases cited, however, do the Government consider that it would be appropriate to institute inquiries.

asked the Prime Minister what is the average delay in his office before replying to letters from hon. Members and British citizens, respectively.

Statistics of this kind are not readily available, but acknowledgments and replies are sent as quickly as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that on 6th July, of 53 Oral Questions to be answered by him, 24 were asking for details of his official engagements that day, and only five sought to deal with identifiable topics, he will now give blocking answers to such blanket questions, thereby compelling his would-be interrogators to exercise more ingenuity and imagination in their thirst for information.

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for his suggestion. I have at present no plans to adopt it, but I shall keep it in mind.