§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what response the Government will make to the International Labour Organisation's concern over the ban on union membership at GCHQ; and when the last correspondence took place over this matter between the ILO and Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. David Hunt[holding answer 1 February 1994]: The Government made it clear to the ILO when it last
Passported Benefits from Income Support Average weekly value 1988–89 £ 1989–90 £ 1990–91 £ 1991–92 £ 1992–93 £ Housing Benefit1 19.01 21.06 24.74 29.35 34.19 Community Charge Benefit2 n.a. n.a. 6.13 3.83 4.60 Cold Weather Payments3 5.00 5.00 5.00 6.00 6.00 Free School Meals See note 4 Free milk and vitamins for pregnant women and children under See note 5
Passported Benefits from Income Support and Family Credit Average weekly value 1988–89 £ 1989–90 £ 1990–91 £ 1991–92 £ 1992–93 £ Social Fund Maternity Payments6 86.00 86.00 100.00 101.00 101.00 Social Fund Funeral Payments6 497.00 545.00 612.00 706.00 787.00 NHS Benefits See note 7 Notes:
1. Housing Benefit (HB)—the award of Income Support allows the award of maximum HB. Average weekly value relates HB (rent rebates and rent allowances) payable to eligible IS recipients.
2. Community Charge Benefit (CCB)—the award of Income Support allowed the award of maximum (80%) of CCB. In England and Wales CCB, existed for three years from April 1990 to March 1993. Figures for the average amount of CCB in 1988–89 and 1989–90 are not available. CCB was replaced by Council Tax Benefit (CTB) in April 1993. The award of IS allows the award of maximum (100%) CTB. Information on the average amount of CTB payable is not yet available.
3. The weekly amount of Cold Weather Payments increased from £5.00 to £6.00 in February 1991. It is only paid for weeks in which the weather forecast is for the temperature to fall to an average equal to, or below, 0 degrees celsius for the period of the forecast. It is payable to Income Support recipients either (a) whose applicable amount includes one or more of the premiums specified in paragraphs 9 to 14 of Part III of Schedule 2 to the General Regulations (pensioner premiums and various premiums paid in respect of a disability), or (b) whose family include a child aged less than 5.
4. Free School Meals—the responsibility for the provision of school meals rests with local education authorities and with goveming bodies of self-governing (grant-maintained) schools. It is for them to decide the prices they charge for all school meals and as a result prices vary throughout
728Wreported in February 1993, and will continue to make it clear in future reports, that their overriding objective remains to safeguard national security, but that they are willing to consider any proposals which are consistent with that objective.