§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to abandon proposals for introducing the habitual residence test for income support and housing benefit; and if he will make a statement.
27W
§ Mr. AncramThe Government have referred a proposal for a habitual residence test in the income support and housing benefit schemes to the Social Security Advisory Committee. The Government will consider all representations made once the committee's report has been completed.
Health and Social Services Boards Total average available beds1 First attendances at Accident and Emergency Departments Total average available beds per 1,0002 population First attendances at Accident and Emergency Departments per 1,000 population Eastern 5,304 249,010 8 382 Northern 1,855 89,698 5 224 Southern 2,019 71,781 7 245 Western 1,910 60,747 7 229 1 Available beds cover acute and all other specialities but do not include beds open day only. 2 As hospitals particularly in the Eastern Board area and to a lesser extent in the Western area, provide some services for patients from all parts of Northern Ireland, care should be taken when interpreting available bed figures per 1,000 population.