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25 MARCH 1981
Mr. Michael Brown asked the Lord Privy Seal at what is proposed to phase out the traditional United Kingdom passport, and replace it by the proposed European Community passport.
Sir Ian Gilmour: As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ravensbourne (Mr. Hunt) on 13 March [Vol. 1000, c. 444]—we intend to produce United Kingdom passports in the agreed common format at the same time as we implement the International Civil Aviation Organisation's recommendations for a passport in a simplified standardised format with machine-readable capability. A considerable amount of work is needed to assess the costs and the technical problems involved, and until this has been done it is not possible for the Government to set a date for the change in the format of United Kingdom passports. The United Kingdom passpots in a common format will remain British passports, and their issue will continue to be a national prerogative.
Mr. Michael Brown asked the Lord Privy Seal how many individuals and organisations have made representa- tions in favour of the proposed European Community passport, and against the discontinuation of a separate passport for the United Kingdom in its traditional form.
Sir Ian Gilmour: Since 1974, when the decision in principle that the passports of the European Community member States should have a common format was taken, I understand that there have been some letters from members of the public, although judging by recent correspondence too few to allow any general conclusion. A comprehensive analysis of all letters received on this subject over the last six years could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Hong Kong
Mr. Parry asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list in the Official Report the organisations named in the report by the recently established standing commission on pressure groups by the Hong Kong Government.
Mr. Blaker: No. The committee's reports are classified documents.
Mr. Parry asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will list the names of hon. Members mentioned in the report by the Hong Kong standing commission on pressure groups.
Mr. Blaker: No.
Mr. Parry asked the Lord Privy Seal if the Hong Kong Government have any plans to establish the office of ombudsman.
Mr. Blaker: No. The Hong Kong Government are satisfied that the existing means of investigating complaints of maladministration through UMELCO, the urban council and the city district officers, are adequate.
Mr. Parry asked the Lord Privy Seal if the Hong Kong Government have any plan to introduce legislation to establish paid maternity leave; and if he will make a
statement.
Mr. Blaker: Yes. A Bill has been published and will be introduced into the legislative council on 8 April.
Mr. Parry asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied with the progress on democratic reform in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
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Mr. Blaker: Yes. I refer the hon. Member to the feply I gave to the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan) on 18 March.-[Vol. 1, c. 131.]
Mobility Allowance
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Dr. Roger Thomas asked the Secretar Social Services if he wREÇEND IN REGISTRYƖNOpoz, for the latest appropțiate period available, the percentage of applicants for the mobility allowance juhoai successful, the percentage ou@ applicant succeed on making an adb and the percentageAction Taku. who fail on appeal but who are finally awarded the allowance by the medical tribunal
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Mr. Rossi: The information is not available in the form requested, but in the 12 months up to 2 March 1981, 62 per cent. of claims decided were successful initially, 5 per cent. as the result of an appeal to a medical board and 1 per cent. as the result of an appeal to a medical appeal tribunal. I regret that separate figures for Wales are not available.
Abortion
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Mrs. Dunwoody asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total number of National Health Service abortions to women resident in England and Wales in 1978, 1979 and 1980; and if he will make a statement on the variation of these figures.
Sir George Young: Following is the information:
National Health Service abortions to women resident in England and
*Occurrences
Wales
Year
1978*
1979*
1980†
Numbers
55,040
55,558
60,242
iProvisional--notifications for 53 week period ending 31 December 1980
Vaccination
Mr. Sheerman asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he is taking to increase the uptake of vaccines for tuberculosis, polio and whooping cough.
Sir George Young: As a result of existing measures, the uptake of vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis is high. The Department continues to advise that school children between 10 and 13 years of age should be screened by a skin test with tuberculin and that BCG vaccine should be given to those found to be negative. The Health Education Council recently released a series of short films about vaccination and my right hon. Friend is arranging to publish reports of recent studies relating to whooping cough vaccine as soon as possible.
Royal National Institute for the Deaf
Mr. Neubert asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for an exhibition relating to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
Mr. Rossi: Arrangements are already in hand for an exhibition relating to the Royal National Institute for the
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