§ Mr. Raceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the numbers of single payments granted (a) between November 1979 to November 1980 and (b) since November 1980, giving the average figures of the payments and the categories of single payments, broken down by Department of Health and Social Security region.
§ Mrs. ChalkerFollowing is information obtained from the monthly returns sent in by local social security offices; these do not record, unlike the annual statistical enquiry—ASE—the categories of items for which single payments are awarded. The results of the December 1981 ASE, covering the period from December 1980 to December 1981, will not be available until next summer. As these will shows single payments to claimants receiving benefit only on a particular day, they will record only about two-thirds of the awards made throughout the year; awards to claimants ceasing to receive benefit during the year do not appear.
§ Dr. VaughanBoth the planning of hospital facilities and allocation of resources are for the Mersey regional health authority to determine in the light of local needs. I understand, however, that the population served is one of the factors it takes into account when it assesses need. The hon. Member may care to contact the regional health authority for information about the projected needs of the population of Warrinton district in 1990 and the acute beds that are planned to be available then.
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§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether payments for overtime and unsocial hours are being made to nurses in the Warrington health district.
§ Dr. VaughanThe information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may care to write to Cheshire area health authority for the information.