HC Deb 10 November 1977 vol 938 cc199-201W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the incidence of the skin disease epidermonlysis

(Mr. Jenkin) on 15th November 1976, showing all the benefits and allowances which include an element for child support at the rates operative from November 1977, distinguishing between those which are taxable and those which are not.

Mr. Orme:

Following is the information based on the rates coming into force in the week commencing 14th November 1977. Child benefit, which replaced family allowances in April 1977, is currently £1 a week for the first or only child and £1.50 for each additional child. Except where indicated, the increases—allowances are payable in addition to child benefit, which is not taxable.

bullosa in the United Kingdom; how many deaths are caused by it; and if his Department has any funds available for research into its treatment and prevention

Mr. Moyle:

I regret that no figures are available on the incidence of epidermonlysis bullosa in the United Kingdom, but it is known that the number who suffer from it is not large. My Department has no central statistics on deaths from the disease, but I understand that the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys considers them likely to be less than 10 a year. The extraction of more accurate information from death certificates for past years would be a major undertaking. Research into the treatment of the disease and its prevention would be the responsibility of the Medical Research Council and not of my Department.