HC Deb 18 February 1981 vol 999 cc159-60W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the maximum earnings-related supplement payable with unemployment benefit in the current year and (b) the maximum earnings-related supplement that would have been payable in the current year if there had not been a change in the basis of the calculation of earnings-related supplement in the Social Security (No. 2) Act.

Mrs. Chalker

The maximum earnings-related supplement payable for periods of interruption of employment beginning on or after 4 January 1981 is £14 a week. But for the changes made in the Social Security (No. 2) Act the maximum would have been £19.25 a week.

Mr. Cormack

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley), Official Report, 2 February, c. 26, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has submitted a list of suitable members for the independent review body announced on 9 June 1980.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what matters remain to be settled in the consultations with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee on the setting up of the independent review panel for the remuneration of pharmacists.

Dr. Vaughan

The president of the Law Society has been asked by the Department and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee to recommend a senior solicitor who might be invited to serve as chairman of the Pharmacists Review Panel. The Department and the committee have agreed on the persons to be invited to fill the other four places on the panel once the name of the chairman is known. I will report further to the House as soon as I am in a position to do so.