§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what provisions of the Social Security Acts 1986 and 1988 are not yet in force; and what are the expected commencement dates.
§ Mr. Scott[holding answer 17 June 1988]: There are no provisions of the 1986 Act yet to come into force. The provisions of the 1988 Act which are yet to come into force are as follows:
§ Mr. Newton[holding answer 23 June 1988]: Following is the latest available information, as requested:
Family Practitioner Committee (FPC) 1 Allocation £000 2 No. of patients 000 Sheffield 471.8 549.3 Liverpool 594.2 535.8 Manchester 560.6 511.2 Birmingham 951.1 1,104.5 Leeds 653.6 738.4 1 Revenue allocations for administrations, 1988–89. 2 Patients registered with a doctor in contract with the FPC in 1986–87. Revenue allocations, by agreement with representatives of FPCs, are not made on the basis of the number of patients registered with doctors nor on figures specifically related to population.
Allocations are based, historically, on expenditure by health authorities before 1 April 1985 on administration by FPCs of services provided not only by doctors but also by dentists, pharmacists and opticians. The historical figures have subsequently been adjusted:
- a. to reduce the effect of any anomalies in the original figure negotiated with the local health authorities';
- b. to reflect staff savings after computerisation;
- c. in respect of movements in pay and prices;
- d. in respect of changes in rent or the effect of purchasing new offices; and
- e. to allow, in the current year, for growth at an average rate of 5½ per cent. in real terms.