WEITEN MA7D wers
24 JANUARY 1983
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Mr. Stallard asked the Secretary of State for Social Services further to his Lasky Go 16-thon. Mede TRY Welwyn and Hatfield XXMurphy)POfficial #djoerða?40, January 1983, c. 51, what factors he took into account when deciding whether Age Concerns alternative index was an appropriate measurement of the mpact of nation on pensioners.
Mr. Rossi: The principal weaknesses of the proposed alternative index are that:
a. It covers only 32 per cent. of pensioners, fewer than either the RPI or the existing Pensioner Price Indices.
b. The adjustments it assumes necessary for under recording of expenditure on alcohol, tobacco or confectionery are inappropriate to low income pensioners and, in the case of confectionery, excessive.
c. The weights used involve a much higher degree of aggregation than the full RPI or pensioner indices, with resultant loss of accuracy.
d. The index is of the 'fixed weight' type which is less sensitive to changes in patterns of household expenditure over time than the RPI.
e. The proposed adjustment for housing costs does nothing to allow for the extra level of housing subsidy enjoyed by low income pensioner households and does not help to overcome the problems identified by the Retail Price Index Advisory Committee in properly providing for a measure of the housing costs of such households.
Mental Health Tribunals
Mrs. Faith asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to amend the Mental Health Act 1959 to provide that mental health tribunals may order a period of supervision of a patient after release.
Mr. Kenneth Clarke: The new powers that have been given to mental health review tribunals by the Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982, will provide what hon.
my Friend seeks when they take effect on 30 September this year. Under section 39 of that Act, tribunals will be able to recommend discharge at some specified future date to allow time for arrangements to be made for care and support after discharge; leave of absence, to see how the patient copes with a limited period in the community; or transfer to another perhaps less secure hospital.
Housing Benefit (Birmingham)
Mr. Rooker asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the method of introduction of housing benefit in Birmingham; and if he will make a
statement.
Mr. Rossi: As regards the work of this Department's local offices, I regret that there have been some difficulties and delays as a result of the recent industrial action, but I am satisfied that these are being resolved without detriment to claimants. The administration of housing benefit is, by law, the responsibility of individual authorities. It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement on the way in which individual authorities handled the take-on of cases.
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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Convention on the Law of the Sea
Mr. Best asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 December, Official Report, c. 601, what talks he has so far held with interested states to seek a resolution of Her Majesty's Government's reservations on certain provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; and what further talks are planned.
Mr. Onslow: We are now engaged in confidential discussions with the States concerned in line with my hon. Friend's answer of 22 December. We will then consider what further steps to take.
Vietnamese Refugees
Mr. Wrigglesworth asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have made representations to other Governments to take further Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Onslow: We are in contact with a number of other Governments as well as officials of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees about the wide range of refugee problems in South-East Asia, asking them particularly to bear in mind the problems of Hong Kong and to do whatever they can to take more Vietnamese refugees.
Mr. Wrigglesworth asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests have been received from the Hong Kong Government to take additional Vietnamese refugees; and what was the
response.
Mr. Onslow: We are frequently in touch with Hong Kong Government officials about the continuing influx of Vietnamese boat people and ways of handling the problem, includng the possibility of resettlement in the United Kingdom. A number of refugees may be admitted this year under existing criteria. No final decision has been taken about how many, if any, others may be taken.
Brasilia (Ministerial Visit)
Mr. Dalyell asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make a statement on the results of the visit to Brasilia in August 1982 of the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow).
Mr. Onslow: My visit to Brazil last August took place in the context of our normal bilateral exchanges with the Brazilians. The visit enabled me to exchange views in Brasilia on a number of international issues with the Brazilian Foreign Minister and Vice-Minister and confirmed the character of our long-standing and excellent relations.
Passports
Mr. Cryer asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the administrative arrangements which his Department applies to control the issue of passports for children in the custody of a parent by order of a court or who are wards of court; and what publicity is given to these safeguards.
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