HC Deb 09 April 1981 vol 2 cc1105-6
9. Mr. Stallard

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Social Security Advisory Committee to discuss the implications of the Social Security Bill for Northern Ireland.

The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. John Patten)

I have already had two meetings in Northern Ireland with the chairman of the Social Security Advisory Committee, when we discussed social security policy for Northern Ireland. I hope to meet him again during his next visit to Northern Ireland in October of this year.

Mr. Stallard

Does the Minister agree that the effects of the Social Security Bill now going through Parliament will be to worsen an already difficult situation of deprivation, unemployment and hardship in Northern Ireland? Does he further agree that any worsening of the position will not help the general situation? When he comes to the House on Report and Third Reading, what steps will he have it in mind to take to try to alleviate some of the hardship that the Bill will cause in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Patten

I do not agree that that will be the effect. The Government are doing everything that they can to maintain a high level of social spending in the Province. The Social Security Bill will not have the effects suggested by the hon. Gentleman. No doubt he will make those points on Report, or on Third Reading if he is able to catch your eye, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Bradford

Will the Minister, through me, answer the important question by the chairman? Why was the special heating allowance continued in Northern Ireland in respect of supplementary benefit and family income supplement, bearing in mind the high energy costs and low incomes in the Province?

Mr. Patten

The special provisions were discontinued because of the economic situation. It will not have escaped the attention of the hon. Gentleman that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, in her recent visit to the Province, made the welcome announcement about bringing domestic electricity tariffs more closely into line with those on this side of the water. He will also realise its general beneficial effect on people who are on or near the poverty line on a continuing basis.

Mr. Pendry

Does the Minister not accept that Northern Ireland is the poor relation of the United Kingdom? What positive steps is he taking to improve the level of benefits, instead of finding ways of keeping them down? Why does he have to wait until October before he meets the chairman again?

Mr. Patten

I refute the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman, who should know better from his experience in the Province, that we are trying to keep down the level of social security payments there. That is not correct.

Mr. Stallard

The Minister is trying to reduce them.

Mr. Patten

The Province benefits greatly from the fact that the social security mechanism is linked in parity terms with the mainland. That is an advantage for the Province, not a disadvantage.

Mr. Stallard

Utter rubbish.