§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Prime Minister what are the terms of reference and the membership of the new Cabinet committee on welfare reform; when the committee will have its first meeting; and if he will make a statement. [23953]
§ The Prime MinisterI am chairing a group of Ministers considering welfare reform issues. My right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, the Secretary of State for Health, the Secretary of State for Social Security and the Minister for Welfare Reform and my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Housing are members of the group. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions will also attend as his other commitments allow. The group had its first meeting on 22 January. We had an excellent discussion.