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his consultations with other European Heads of State concerning the prospects of a European Security Conference.
Mr. Anthony Royle: My right hon. Friend has had a number of confidential
consultations about this, most recently with Mr. Gromyko, and our representa- tives are discussing the question continu- ously in N.A.T.O. and through diplomatic channels. Our object is to discover whether a conference would have a reasonable prospect of resolving issues of substance.
Hong Kong (Long-Term Prisoners)
Mr. Rankin asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will direct the Hong Kong Government, as an act of clemency, to free those long-term prisoners suffering from incurable illness.
Mr. Anthony Royle: No. The Hong Kong Prison Rules require the Medical Officer to make recommendations when- ever he considers that the life of any prisoner will be endangered by his con- tinuance in prison, or that any sick prisoner will not survive his sentence, or is totally or permanently unfit for prison sentence. The Governor has invariably released a prisoner on receipt of such a recommendation.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Family Income Supplements Bill 72. Mr. Clinton Davis asked the Secre- tary of State for Social Services what proposals he has concerning the allevia- tion of child poverty.
73. Mr. McNamara asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will introduce legislation to increase family allowances.
77. Mr. St. John-Stevas asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement of Government policy on family allowances.
87. Mr. Rose asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take to relieve poverty among large families.
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Sir K. Joseph: The Family Income Supplements Bill, now before the House, will help families of low paid workers. The Government is continuing to study the difficulties and needs of such families family allowances is not ruled out. and the possibility of a later increase in
Pensions
74. Mr. Eadie asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for making pension provision for workpeople who have no occupational pension scheme.
Sir K. Joseph: Our plans include a reserve earnings-related pensions scheme for those not covered by occupational schemes.
Lung Cancer
75. Mr. Sheldon asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action
he proposes to take to lessen te incidence of lung cancer.
cancer
Mr. Alison: The incidence of lung would be greatly reduced if people stopped smoking cigarettes, and we are currently considering what further measures are required to bring home to people more effectively the risks they run in adopting or continuing with this dangerous habit.
Alcoholism
76. Mr. Eadie asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consulta- tions he has had with the Medical Council on alcoholism; and if he will make a statement on the help he intends to give to combat this problem.
Mr. Alison: We have now heard from the Council enlarging on certain points in its recent Report. An officer of my Department is in close contact with the Council. We are considering the problems of alcoholism in relation to other calls on our resources.
Social Security Expenditure
78. Mr. Marquand asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what propor tion of the increase in expenditure on social security between 1968-69 and 1973-74 forecast in the White Paper, Public Expenditure 1968-69 to 1973-74, Command Paper No. 4234, is expected
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