§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants of (a) unemployment benefit, (b) sickness benefit and (c) maternity allowances were affected by the 85 per 403W cent. earnings ceiling in 1976 and 1977; and what proportion of claimants these figures represent.
§ Mr. OrmeMy hon. Friend is no doubt referring to the provision whereby, if the total unemployment or sickness benefit or maternity allowance due is more than 85 per cent. of the claimant's reckonable weekly earnings, any earnings-related benefit payable is reduced or extinguished. In 1976 the numbers of claimants who had their earnings-related benefit reduced in this way were:
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT 62,000 11 per cent. of total number of claimants in receipt of benefit. SICKNESS BENEFIT 35,400 7 per cent. of total number of claimants in receipt of benefit.
1969 1972 1977 GENERAL PRACTICE Full-time … … … … … 15,172 14,280 12,609 Part-time … … … … … 3,243 3,140 3,930 HEALTH AUTHORITY Whole-time equivalent … … … 1,720 2,112 2,692* *1976 figure.
§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pharmacists practised in the National Health Service in Bolton in each of the last 10 years.