§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current average gross rate of pay of (a) a private, (b) a sergeant, and (c) a lieutenant; by what percentage these figures are above or below current average industrial earnings; and what were the comparable figures for each of the past four years.
Mr. MullyThe information requested is out in the table below:
able to make a statement on the outcome of the discussions between the Manpower Services Commission and the Department of Health and Socal Security concerning the long-term implications for disabled people who travel to work of the introduction of the mobility allowance and the phasing out of the invalid tricycle.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that its discussions with the Department of Health and Social Security are continuing. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services intends to make a statement in the very near future about mobility generally, and, as I said in my reply of 29th November to my hon. 365W Friend, I hope to make a statement about an improved "fares to work" scheme early in the new year.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current average weekly payment to a disabled person under the Employment Services Agency's fares to work scheme.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the average weekly payment in all currently authorised cases is £9.30.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the largest weekly sum currently being paid to a disabled person under the Employment Services Agency's fares to work scheme.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the largest weekly sum currently being paid under the Employment Service Agency's fares to work scheme is £39.50. However, out of a total of 243 currently authorised cases only 19 received payments over £20 per week. The maximum grant payable under the scheme may not exceed the applicant's take-home pay.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the total expenditure under the Employment Services Agency's fares to work scheme for disabled persons in 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the estimated expenditure under the Employment Service Agency's fares to work scheme for the years 1977–78 and 1978–79 is as follows:
1977–78 £144,000 1978–79 £264,000 The increase between 1977–78 and 1978–79 is mainly to meet an anticipated increase in expenditure on the scheme as a result of the phasing out of invalid vehicles.
No formal estimate has yet been made for the year 1979–80.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average length of time a disabled person is assisted under the Employment Services Agency's fares to work scheme.
366W
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that about one-third of the number of disabled people receiving assistance under the ESA fares to work schemes are being helped on a temporary basis, often as a result of breakdown of personal transport. The average period of assistance in such cases lasts for about six weeks. Of the remaining two-thirds, the average length of time a person for which is assisted is much longer, estimated at about 3½ years, although this does include one case of assistance extending over the last 15 years and several others who have been assisted for many years.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons applied for help under the Employment Services Agency's fares to work scheme in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many of these applications were successful.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that during the year ended 31st October 1977, 328 applications for assistance under the Employment Service Agency's fares to work scheme were received. Of these 196 were approved, 124 rejected and eight withdrawn.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are currently being assisted under the Employment Services Agency's fares to work scheme.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there are 243 currently authorised cases for assistance under the Employment Service Agency's fares to work scheme.