Written Answers
Monday, 7th July 1997.
Jobseeker's Allowance: Evaluation
asked Her Majesty's Government:How they monitor the effect of the 40 per cent. deduction from income support for voluntary unemployment.
Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) replaced income support for the unemployed on 7 October 1996. We are collecting a range of statistical data on the numbers affected by the sanction rules in JSA. Understanding the impact of sanctions will also form part of our wider programme of monitoring and evaluation to ensure that JSA is contributing to our welfare to work objectives, which are to provide work incentives, to reduce poverty and welfare dependency, and to strike a new balance between rights and responsibilities.As part of the evaluation of JSA, the DSS/BA and DfEE/ES have jointly commissioned a major national survey of unemployed claimants before and after the introduction of JSA. A first report on the pre-JSA survey has been published (DSS Research Series No. 62,
Unemployment and Jobseeking). A second report is due to be published in the autumn. Both reports provide information about claimants who were disqualified or disallowed benefit.
In addition, these quantitative surveys are being supplemented to qualitative research, again before and after the introduction of JSA. One strand of this work specifically investigates claimants' understanding of and attitudes towards disallowances and sanctions and the impact on behaviour among jobseekers who have experienced sanctions. We expect to publish the pre-JSA research shortly.
Social Security: Married And Unmarried Couples
asked Her Majesty's Government:What advantages accrue to an unmarried couple as opposed to a married couple under the present social security system.
A key aim of the department's review of the social security system will be to develop a strategy by which we will modernise the structure and delivery of social security to encourage independence, social cohesion and well-being. The present system broadly aims to treat unmarried couples no more advantageously than couples who are married. In the income-related benefits, an unmarried couple living together like a husband and wife is treated in exactly the same way as a married couple. Entitlement is assessed on the basis of the couple's combined needs and resources. In the contributory and non-contributory benefits, where adult dependency increases are payable, they are normally paid in respect of a spouse, but can also be paid for a person with care of the claimant's children while there is financial dependency on the claimant.
Asylum Seekers: Detention Policy
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are satisfied with the present system of detaining asylum seekers without charge and with limited opportunity for bail, and, if not, whether they propose to make any immediate changes.
Detention should be used sparingly, and only in cases where it is felt that the person might otherwise abscond. Most detainees under Immigration Act powers have the right to apply for bail to an independent adjudicator. This includes those who may at some stage have sought asylum. However, a wide ranging review covering all aspects of detention policy, including the opportunities to apply for bail, is currently being undertaken. The results are likely to be available in the Autumn.
Probation Service: Budget
asked Her Majesty's Government:What increase or decrease they estimate in the probation service budget between 1997 and 2005.
The previous Government's spending plans for the probation service, as set out in the Home Office Annual Report 1997, envisaged expenditure of £428 million in the present financial year, falling to £425 million next year and £417 million in 1999–2000. We shall maintain central government support at the planned level this financial year, and consider what level of funding the probation service needs in future years, in order to provide punishment in the community which is effective and commands public confidence, as part of the comprehensive spending review which is now getting under way.
School Meals: Review
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the views of school children will be taken into account in the forthcoming review of school meal quality.
We will take account of all views put forward, including those of school children.
Defence Review
asked Her Majesty's Government:How the 12-month timetable planned for the Government's spending review, as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 11 June 1997, will enable firm conclusions to be reached in the strategic defence review, which is scheduled for completion before the end of this year.
There will be one coherent review of defence. The strategic defence review will be the Ministry of Defence's contribution to the comprehensive spending review. It is envisaged that work on the strategic defence review will be completed around the turn of the year.
Government Reviews
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many reviews have been announced in this Session of Parliament; when they expect each to be completed; what the anticipated cost of each will be; and how many more they expect to announce.
As at 27 June, we had announced the following significant reviews:
| A comprehensive spending review | This will be completed in the next 12 months. Estimates of the cost of the comprehensive spending review are not held centrally. But the costs will be absorbed within departments' running costs limits set in the Budget on November 1996. |
| A strategic defence review | Work on the strategic defence review is envisaged to be completed around the turn of the year. Maximum use will be made of existing structures to conduct the review. Additional costs will be incurred, including the process of consultation with outside experts and interests. It is too early to predict the total additional cost. |
| A review of the bureaucratic burden on teachers | The final report on this review is planned for spring 1998. Costs are expected to be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A review of the detailed criteria used in considering licence applications for the export of conventional weapons | This review will be completed, and the new criteria will be made available to the House, as soon as possible. Costs are expected to be met within planned departmental running costs. |
| A review of the law relating to surrogacy | The review team has not yet met but it is expected to report later this year or early next year. The costs cannot be estimated reliably at this stage. |
| A review of the law relating to silicone breast implants | This aims to report to the chief medical officer in late 1997. Completion date for the review will, however, depend on the amount of work that the group considers necessary to fulfil its remit. It is too early to say what the costs will be as it will depend on the amount of work that the group considers necessary. |
| A review of proposed NHS private finance initiative schemes | This is an ongoing review looking at the process and product of PFI in the NHS. This review will take into account the findings of Malcolm Bates's review of PFI in all government departments. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A review of the breast cancer screening service in Devon and implications for the breast screening programme as a whole | This is expected to be completed in mid July 1997. The estimated cost is £2,000 for travel and subsistence, apart from normal departmental and NHS running costs. |
| A review of London health services | The independent advisory panel conducting the review has been asked to complete the main elements of its work by October 1997. It is not yet possible to estimate the cost. |
| A review of the arrangements for celebrating the Millennium | The review has been completed. The review was conducted by the Department of National Heritage, and the Millennium Commission as part of their normal activities, and no additional costs were incurred by the department. |
| A review of the National Lottery, leading to the publication of a White Paper | A White Paper will be published in July, initiating a consultation period prior to the introduction of legislation in late November/ early December. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A review of film policy | The review is expected to conclude in spring 1998. Expenses are being paid to the members of the review group. No decisions on further expenditure have yet been made. Any such expenditure would be met from within the existing departmental budget for consultancies. |
| A review of compulsory competitive tendering regulations which will improve the existing regime pending its replacement by a duty of best value | The review is expected to be completed by early July. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A fundamental review of transport policy leading to the publication of a White Paper on our long term strategy for an integrated transport policy | The aim is to publish a White Paper on integrated transport policy in the spring of next year taking account of the outcome of the review of transport policy, the review of the roads |
| A review of the roads programme | programme and the review of bus policy. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A bus review | |
| A review of the arrangements for enforcing the rules on the welfare of animals exported live to the continent | The intention is to introduce changes which are shown to be necessary as soon as practicable. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A review of the case for inoculation as a substitute for rabies quarantine | No date for the completion of this review has yet been set. Scope and costs are not yet finalised. |
| A review of the Milk Development Council | This review is expected to be completed later this year. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A review of international development policy leading to publication of White Paper | The work will not involve any extra costs. Publication costs will be recovered. |
| A review of economic regeneration in Wales | The aim is to complete this review by September. Precise costings cannot be given at this stage, but any costs additional to normal departmental running are expected to be minimal. |
| A review of existing proposals for reform of civil litigation and legal aid | The Lord Chancellor has asked Sir Peter Middleton for a preliminary report by the end of September on whether these proposals are the best way to reduce costs and delay in litigation and improve the control over the cost of legal aid. Any further work will depend on the terms of the preliminary report. The review is expected to cost around £75,000 to the end of September for civil service and other support and publication costs. The majority of running costs will be internal running costs met from the planned departmental running cost budget. |
| A review of the Crown Prosecution Service | This is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Costs cannot be determined at this stage. |
| A review of private finance machinery | This was completed on 13 June. No costs were incurred outside normal departmental running costs. |
| A review of the tax benefits system | This is expected to report in around a year. Costs are expected to be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A review of the Post Office | It is too soon to say when the review will be completed. No external costs are yet committed. |
| An audit of the foresight programme which is a programme to bring together business, Government and academia to identify market and technology opportunities for the future. The audit aims to catalogue individual Foresight initiatives taken by government departments and to consider ways to improve the co-ordination of the programme. | This will report to Ministers by the summer Recess. Costs will be met from within planned departmental running costs. |
| An Export Forum to review the effectiveness of current official export promotion programmes and to make recommendations for a new export initiative. | This will report to Ministers by the autumn. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A review of steps which might be taken to strengthen democratic control of the three public water authorities in Scotland | This review is expected to be completed in November. External costs are expected to be £20,000. |
| Scottish enterprise review | The completion date is not yet known. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A review of the way in which social rented housing is supported in Scotland | Expected to be completed in March 1998. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A review of the Skye Bridge tolling arrangements | The completion date is not yet known. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs. |
| A fundamental review of transport policy in Scotland leading to the publication of a White Paper on our long term strategy for an integrated transport policy | The review is expected to be completed in spring 1998. Scope and costs are not yet finalised. |
| A review of the Scottish roads programme | The review is expected to be completed in summer 1998. Scope and costs are not yet finalised. |
| A review of the existing code of practice on access to government information. | This has been completed. There were no costs outside normal departmental running costs. |
| The preparation of the White paper on better government will include reviews of ministerial accountability and non-departmental public bodies, including the full implementation of the Nolan recommendations and their extension to all public bodies. | This review process will be undertaken within existing resources and results will be published in the White Paper in the autumn. |
| The Department of Social Security is committed to modernising the structure and delivery of social security in order to encourage independence, social cohesion and well being; to develop an active welfare system which supports work, savings and honesty; and to help tackle effectively unjustifiable social and economic inequalities. To that end we will be examining the major components of the system. We will consult on specific issues in due course. | |
| A review of policy on admission charging by national museums. | This review is being conducted as part of the department's normal activities, with no additional costs. It is expected to be concluded by autumn 1997. |
Any further reviews will be announced as they are initiated.
Tax System: Married And Unmarried Couples
asked Her Majesty's Government:What advantages accrue to an unmarried couple, as opposed to a married couple, under the present taxation system.
None.
Employment: Labour Force Survey
asked Her Majesty's Government:With reference to the statement in the Labour Party manifesto that "one in five families has no one working", by what measure that is true, and what is the current level.
The labour force survey can produce estimates for families and households with no one in employment. The most common ways of presenting this information are in terms of non-pensioner households and families with dependent children. The major difference in coverage is that non-pensioner households include couples without dependent children and single adult units. Households may also consist of more than one family unit or a combination of family units and individuals/couples. In fact analyses for both non-pensioner households and families with dependent children yield similar results as can be seen in the table below.
| Percentages of families with no one in employment, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted | ||
| Non-pensioner households | Families with dependent children | |
| Summer 1996 | 17.9 | 18.8 |
| Autumn 1996 | 17.7 | 18.0 |
| Winter 1996–97 | 17.5 | 17.6 |
It is widely accepted that analyses of households with no one in employment should exclude pensioner households. This area of analysis is relatively new for the LFS and the definition of non-pensioner or working age households is not yet firmly established. The table provided is based on the same definition of non-pensioner household as previous responses to parliamentary questions to this topic. The ONS has been assessing the various alternative definitions and expects to publish its recommendations in the September issue of Labour Market Trends.
Similarly there are various alternative definitions of a family. In this case the common definition of a married or cohabiting couple or lone parent with at least one dependent child (i.e. all those aged under 16 and 16–18 year olds who are in full-time education) is used.
Interest Rates And Tax: Example
asked Her Majesty's Government:What would be the cost for a married man with a non-earning wife and two children under the age of 16, with a salary of £40,000 per annum and a mortgage of £100,000:
The cost of a 1 per cent. rise in interest rates to a married man with a salary of £40,000 and a mortgage of £100,000 would be £955 per annum in 1997–98. The standard rate of income tax was abolished in 1973. A 1p increase in the basic rate of income tax to the same person would be £220 per annum.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Reduction Target
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will review their policy of increasing petrol prices as a CO
2 reduction measure following research which shows that the cost per tonne to remove CO2 by this measure is around £2,000.
The Chancellor stated the Government's policy about increasing duty rates on road fuels. The Government are currently reviewing policies and measures across all sectors which could contribute to a target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. That review will weigh fully the costs of policies and measures against the potential benefits for climate change, other environmental objectives and other social and economic goals. Decisions about what is included in the post 2000 climate change programme will be made after the climate change convention in Kyoto in December.
Nato Membership: Russia
asked Her Majesty's Government:On what grounds they consider Russian membership of NATO to be undesirable.
Russia has not applied for NATO membership. Given the changes we have seen in European security over the last eight years and the obvious possibilities of further change, it would be unwise to say that NATO will never consider membership for Russia but at present such membership is not under consideration.
Ec Treaty: Co-Operation And Co-Decision Procedures
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many measures were adopted in the last five years under the co-operation procedure provided for under Article 189c of the EC Treaty; and to what extent these measures would have been subject to the co-decision procedure set out in Article 189b of the EC Treaty if the changes outlined in the Treaty of Amsterdam had applied.
According to the Commission's CELEX database, 104 measures have been adopted since June 1992 under the co-operation procedure. Forty-two of these would have been subject to co-decision under the terms of the Maastricht Treaty, which came into force in November 1993. A further 59 would have been subject to co-decision under the terms of the provisional draft Treaty of Amsterdam.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether under the Treaty of Amsterdam the transfer of matters currently subject to the co-operation procedure provided for under Article 189c of the EC Treaty to the co-decision procedure set out in Article 189b of the EC Treaty (as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam) will significantly increase the powers of the European Parliament under the Community's legislative procedures.
The provisional draft Treaty of Amsterdam lists 11 Treaty provisions currently subject to the co-operation procedure under Article 189c to which the co-decision procedure will be extended. Copies of this document have been placed in the Libraries of the House. In these areas the agreement of the European Parliament (EP) as well as of the Council would be needed for the adoption of legislative proposals. Under co-operation if the EP opposes a proposal the Council can still approve it by unanimity.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the principal changes to the co-decision procedure set out in Article 189b of the EC Treaty resulting from the Treaty of Amsterdam and whether this has changed the institutional balance between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers in favour of the European Parliament in the formulation of legislation under this procedure.
The provisional draft Treaty of Amsterdam includes a revised text of Article 189b. Copies of the document have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The main changes are to allow immediate adoption of a proposal where the Council and the European Parliament (EP) agree; to set a deadline to convene the Conciliation Committee, and to limit the scope of its discussions; and to simplify the existing procedure for the EP to block a proposal. These changes do not affect the existing requirement for both the Council and EP to give agreement to proposals under co-decision.
Peacekeeping Costs: Reimbursement
asked Her Majesty's Government:What part of the 1.2 billion dollars owed by the United States to the United Nations would, if paid, come to the United Kingdom as payment for past peacekeeping operations; which such peacekeeping operations were approved by the United States; and which were not.
It will be for the United Nations to allocate funds when they are received from the United States. The United Kingdom is owed about £51 million in reimbursement from the UN for four peacekeeping operations, all of which were approved by the United States.
Us Intelligence Activities
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that any activity sponsored by the United States Central Intelligence Agency has qualified as state-sponsored terrorism.
It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to comment on the intelligence activities of other countries.
Nato-Russia Founding Act
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the recently signed Founding Act between NATO and Russia is an international agreement that has been sent to or tabled at both the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
The NATO-Russia Founding Act is not an International Agreement and is not eligible for registration with the United Nations as an international agreement but it provides for the text to be circulated within the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Un Register Of Conventional Arms: Uk's Return
asked Her Majesty's Government:When the United Kingdom submitted its 1996 return to the UN Register of Conventional Arms; and whether they will place a copy of the submission in the Library of the House.
The UK's return to the UN Register covering calendar year 1996 was submitted to the UN Secretary-General on 29 April 1997. A copy of the return has been placed in the Libraries of the House and is available to members of the public on request. As part of our commitment to increasing transparency in the field of defence exports, we shall work to strengthen the UN Register of Conventional Arms, encouraging greater disclosure of information on arms exports and arms transfers by all countries. We hope that the work of the UN Panel of Experts currently reviewing the operation and development of the register will contribute to achieving this objective.
Uk: International Human Rights Instruments
asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to accede to those international human rights instruments to which the United Kingdom is not yet party.
We will review over the next year the United Kingdom's position under various international human rights instruments. This will include the question of accession to protocols to the European Convention on Human Rights and the international covenant on civil and political rights, and acceptance of the rights of individual petition under other UN human rights treaties. We shall also examine whether any of the United Kingdom's reservations to human rights treaties can be withdrawn.
Council Tax: Capping
asked Her Majesty's Government:At what stage are their plans to abandon the capping of council tax; andWhat reserve powers they envisage being retained by the Secretary of State for the Environment after the abandonment of council tax capping, and in what circumstances those powers would be exercised.
We remain committed to the abolition of crude and universal capping. We are now working on a wide range of proposals to improve local accountability which will allow us to fulfil this commitment. In the meantime the Deputy Prime Minister intends to announce guideline budget increases for local authorities later this year. If necessary we will use our capping powers to ensure that local authorities stay within these guidelines.
Buses: Eu Directive Proposal
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will reconsider the answer given by Baroness Hayman on 30 June (
WA 4), in view of the press release from the European Commission dated 18 June 1997 saying that, "The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Directive on technical provisions for buses and coaches".
The Commission's press release confirmed that the Commission has now decided what its proposal should be. Because the proposal is not yet available in all the working languages of the Community, the Commission is not yet able formally to transmit the proposal to the European Parliament and Council and thus to the member states. However we have now had sight of an advance copy of the English text (minus diagrams). While we have not yet had time to study the details of the proposal, we believe that it should be welcomed as a useful single market measure. We understand that it recognises and makes provision for minibuses, midibuses and double decker buses. Detailed study of the provisions is required before any conclusions can be made on the adequacy and acceptability of the proposals. I will be submitting to the House an explanatory memorandum with the advance text as soon as possible.
Osteoporosis Report: Implementation
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the main recommendations of the Advisory Group on Osteoporosis which were published in January 1995 have been implemented, with particular reference to the recommendations that the National Health Service should make bone densitometry more widely available for those identified as being at high risk of developing osteoporosis; that there should be better co-ordination and communication between specialists dealing with osteoporosis; and that there should be nationally agreed clinical guidelines on treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.
The report of the Advisory Group on Osteoporosis, published in January 1995, was circulated widely to the National Health Service. It is for local health authorities to decide what priority to give to making bone density measurement available, based on local population needs. Local health authorities are also best placed to decide how to co-ordinate services to meet those local needs. A group led by the Royal College of Physicians is currently working on national clinical guidelines on the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list (a) those Health Authorities and NHS Trusts that have implemented the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Osteoporosis of January 1995; and (b) those Health Authorities that fall in bands E and F in the "osteoporosis action rating" (those who were judged as having no or minimal osteoporosis service) in the National Osteoporosis Society's Osteoporosis Action Survey of February 1996.
The Department of Health does not hold a list of the health authorities and NHS trusts that have implemented the recommendations of the report of the Advisory Group on Osteoporosis. The Department of Health circulated the report widely to the National Health Service when it was published in January 1995. It is for local health authorities to decide what priority to give to making bone density measurement available to those who need it, based on local population needs. It is also the responsibility of local health authorities to decide how best to co-ordinate services to meet those local needs. A copy of the National Osteoporosis Society's Osteoporosis Action Survey of February 1996 report has been placed in the Library. This survey was not commissioned by the Government.
Osteoporosis: Males
asked Her Majesty's Government:What are their proposals for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in males.
The Government are aware of the devastating effect this condition can have on all men who suffer from it. Improving public awareness about treatment and prevention of illness will form part of our new public health programme, and osteoporosis will be covered specifically in a new men's health leaflet currently being drafted by the Department of Health. We will continue to work towards the recommendations of the expert Advisory Group on Osteoporosis, as outlined in its 1995 Report. We continue to fund the National Osteoporosis Society, which undertakes a wide range of public and professional educational activities, and who this year focused their National Osteoporosis Week activities, including a conference, on male osteoporosis.
Osteoporotic Fractures
asked Her Majesty's Government:To provide the figures available for the latest years for which information has been collated for the incidence of osteoporotic fractures secondary to steroid use.
This information is not available. Data records on inpatient activity within NHS hospitals contain a primary diagnosis code which identifies the main condition treated or investigated. Additional data are available to record further details of a patient's condition (the 'secondary diagnoses', or a code relating to the cause of an accident or an incident of poisoning). Although there will often be a direct relationship between the primary and any secondary diagnosis, this cannot automatically he inferred. Hence, it is not possible from the data, to determine the number of fractures caused by osteoporosis and also attributable to steroid use.
Nhs: Mixed Sex Wards
asked Her Majesty's Government:What further action is being considered to help meet the objectives set out in guidance on mixed sex wards issued to the NHS in January.
We are considering the need for further guidance on this matter, and I will ensure that the noble Lord is kept informed.
Asylum Seekers: National Assistance Act
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to continue to support the provision of services to asylum seekers under the National Assistance Act 1948, and, if so, whether they will compensate local authorities.
The Government are seeking leave to appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal in Regina v. Westminster City Council and others ex parte A and others, concerning the use of the powers of the National Assistance Act 1948 to make provision for the accommodation of asylum seekers. A commitment has already been made to offer financial support to local authorities accommodating asylum seekers for the time being.
Aids: Survivors
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many people diagnosed as suffering from AIDS have survived for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 years or more respectively; and what proportion of patients in each category have been constant long-term takers of anti-viral drugs.
13,632 United Kingdom adult AIDS cases diagnosed by 31 December 1996 had been reported to the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre by 31 March 1997 and from data available on 30 June 1997 the number of AIDS cases surviving three years or more was:
| Years survived after AIDS diagnosis | Number of cases | Number not known to be dead on 31 December 1996 |
| 3 or more | 1,610 | 931 |
| 4 or more | 763 | 410 |
| 5 or more | 366 | 125 |
| 6 or more | 186 | 55 |
| 7 or more | 107 | 24 |
| 8 or more | 58 | 13 |
| 9 or more | 27 | 7 |
| 10 or more | 12 | 6 |
Nhs: Patient And Administration Costs
asked Her Majesty's Government:With reference to the statement in the Labour Party manifesto that "a greater proportion of every pound spent will go on patient care not bureaucracy", what proportion is presently spent on patient care; and what the job titles are of those all or part of whose salaries are allocated to (a) patient care and (b) administration.
The National Health Service Executive has agreed measures of NHS management costs in trusts, health authorities and general practitioner fundholding practices.The proportions of NHS expenditure estimated to have been spent on health authority and trust management costs and general practitioner fundholding management allowances in England, Scotland and Wales in 1996–97 are shown in the table.
| Table: NHS management costs in 1996–97 | |||
| Estimated outturn figures for 1996–97 | |||
| NHS | NHS | NHS | |
| management costs1 | net current expenditure2 | management as a proportion of total | |
| Country | £ million | £ million | |
| England | 1,831 | 31,357 | 5.8% |
| Scotland | 209 | 3,831 | 5.5% |
| Wales | 118 | 1,605 | 7.4% |
| Great Britain | 2,158 | 36,793 | 5.9% |
| Outturn figures for 1995–96, the latest year available | |||
| HPSS management costs3 in 1995–96 | HPSS expenditure4 in 1995–96 | HPSS management costs as a proportion of total | |
| £ million | £ million | ||
| Northern Ireland | 90 | 1,366 | 6.6% |
Notes:
1 NHS management costs are composed of HA and trust management costs and GPFH management allowances.
2 Figures for NHS net current expenditure do not include any departmental administration costs. Departmental administration includes non-NHS departmental expenditure on, for example, social care policy and ministerial and parliamentary support.
3 Northern Ireland's HPSS (health and personal social services) management costs are composed of:
- —HPSS boards' management costs as set out in note 5.1 of their 1995–96 summarised accounts;
- —HPSS trusts' management costs as per the trust M2 definition;
- —GPFH management allowances.
4 The Northern Ireland 1995–96 HPSS expenditure figure is taken from the HPSS boards' summarised accounts.
Health and personal social services (HPSS) are provided in Northern Ireland under an integrated structure. NHS management costs are not separately identifiable from the total HPSS management costs incurred by health and social services and trusts in Northern Ireland. The figures for Northern Ireland given in the table are therefore not directly comparable with those for the other home countries.