§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement outlining the original data on which the figures for fuel contained in Regulation 18(3) of the Supplementary Benefits (Requirements) Regulations were based, the reasons for choosing such a base and the criteria upon which these have been uprated.
§ Mr. PortilloDeductions from eligible housing costs in respect of inclusive charges for fuel are based on those formerly determined by the Supplementary Benefits Commission, between 1970 and 1979. These in turn were derived from data obtained from the family expenditure survey on the average expenditure on fuel by all pensioner householders in a particular quarter.
Since 1980 these figures have, where appropriate, been increased in line with movements in the fuel component of the retail price index.
§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the value in real terms of the supplementary pension rates, including the lower rate of heating addition, for a single or married pensioner after the April 1987 uprating, compared with their value after the 1977 uprating; and what is the difference between the percentage of average earnings at the time represented by the 1977 and 1987 rates.
§ Mr. ScottThe information is as follows:
by the district health authorities concerned to finance the cost of the drug AZT prescribed for the treatment of AIDS patients.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Government have allocated an additional £1.6 million towards the costs of Retrovir (AZT) to the three Thames regional health authorities, which are caring for 75 per cent. of reported AIDS cases. £1 million was allocated to North West Thames RHA, £400,000 to North East Thames RHA and £200,000 to South East Thames RHA. It is for the regions to decide the allocation of the additional funding to their districts.
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§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of people in the United Kingdom who are HIV positive; and what percentage are likely to develop the full AIDS condition.
§ Mr. NewtonOur current estimate is that about 30,000–40,000 people in the United Kingdom are infected with HIV and that about 30 per cent. of these will develop AIDS within five years. We do not yet have the experience on which to estimate the proportion who will develop AIDS over a longer time period.