§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what(a) reviews, (b) task forces and (c) advisory groups have been established by his Department since 1 May 1997; what costs they have incurred to date; and what reports they have published. [71512]
§ Mr. TimmsThe information is in the table.
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Review Cost Reports Review of Pensions Costs are subsumed within the Department's ordinary running costs. "Stakeholder Pensions: a Consultation Document" November 1997. "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions" December 1998. "Strengthening the Pensions framework: a Consultation Document" December 1998. Review of Child Support Costs are subsumed within the Department's ordinary running costs. Green Paper "Children First: a new approach to child support" published July 1998. We will shortly publish our detailed strategy for safeguarding Social Security. Review of the evidence on which the Department's approach to the assessment of noise induced sensorineural hearing loss is based Costs are subsumed within the Department's ordinary running costs but travel and subsistence for members was £2,100. Outcome of the review was announced on 5 March 1998. Housing Benefit Simplification and Improvement Project Costs are subsumed within the Department's ordinary running costs. Report will be published in due course. Task Forces Pensions Education Working Group Costs are subsumed within the Department's ordinary running costs. "Getting to know about Pensions"—June 1998 Pension Provision Group Costs are subsumed within the Department's ordinary running costs "We all need pensions—the prospects for pension provision"—June 1998 Advisory Groups Disability Benefits Forum Costs are subsumed within the Department's ordinary running costs but travel and subsistence, hospitality and other miscellaneous services amount to £6,580 to date None Ad hoc Group of External Stakeholders—Decision Making and Appeals Nil No reports produced. It is a discussion group for consultation on regulations from Social Security Act 1998 and DMA implementation proposals. Pension Sharing Consultation Panel Nil None