Ionising Radiations (Hansard, 18 January 1974)

§ Sir R. Russell
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will draw special attention to the need for implementing Section 7.3.1 of the Code of Practice for the Protection of Persons against Ionising Radiations arising from Medical and Dental Use, published in June 1972, with a view to ensuring that the 10-day rule is strictly adhered to.

§ Sir K. Joseph
On its publication in 1972 this code was brought to the attention of hospitals and general medical 195W practitioners who were referred, in particular, to Section 7 which covers the protection of the patient. There is already awareness of Section 7.3.1 and in some hospitals X-ray request forms draw attention to the "10 day" rule and require the date of the last menstrual period to be entered. Similar information will be contained in a standard X-ray request form which will be made available to the new health authorities and my Radiological Advisory Committee is considering what further measures are necessary as to implementation of the rule.

BENEFITS AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET EARNINGS ^*

Standard rate retirement pension Supplementary pension†

Single person Married couple Single householder Married couple

October 1969 … … … 24.8 38.2 27.8 41.6

October 1970 … … … 25.0 38.4 26.5 39.6

October 1971 … … … 27.1 41.8 28.4 42.9

October 1972 … … … 25.7 39.8 27.2 41.1

October 1973‡ … … 26.5 41.3 27.9 42.5

^* Since the majority of pensioners do not pay income tax or national insurance contributions, the comparison can best be made with net rather than gross earnings.

†The supplementary pension rates used are the scale rates plus long-term addition until October 1972 and the long-term rate (which incorporates the long-term addition) for October 1973. Additional provision is made for rent and rates.

‡ The results of the October 1973 earnings enquiry are not available. The earnings figure used is the latest available estimate based on the provisional October figure from the monthly index of earnings.

Published statistics do not provide comparable information on average weekly earnings or average pension rates for the other countries mentioned. Even if this information could be provided, a meaningful comparison could not be made without taking into account the social conditions in the countries concerned and, in particular, the differences in standards of living, levels of taxation and social security systems as a whole.

§ Mr. Ralph Howell
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give urgent consideration to the linking of retirement pensions to the cost-of-living index through the introduction of a threshold clause similar to that regarding wages under phase 3.

§ Mr. Dean
As my hon. Friend knows, the Government have committed themselves to ensuring by annual reviews that the pension at least keeps pace with the rise in the cost of living.

BENEFITS AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET EARNINGS ^*
				Standard rate retirement pension	Supplementary pension†
				Single person	Married couple	Single householder	Married couple
October 1969	…	…	…	24.8	38.2	27.8	41.6
October 1970	…	…	…	25.0	38.4	26.5	39.6
October 1971	…	…	…	27.1	41.8	28.4	42.9
October 1972	…	…	…	25.7	39.8	27.2	41.1
October 1973‡	…	…	26.5	41.3	27.9	42.5
^* Since the majority of pensioners do not pay income tax or national insurance contributions, the comparison can best be made with net rather than gross earnings.
†The supplementary pension rates used are the scale rates plus long-term addition until October 1972 and the long-term rate (which incorporates the long-term addition) for October 1973. Additional provision is made for rent and rates.
‡ The results of the October 1973 earnings enquiry are not available. The earnings figure used is the latest available estimate based on the provisional October figure from the monthly index of earnings.