§ 3. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount paid out to the families of men engaged in industrial disputes in the form of supplementary benefits over the latest year for which full figures are available.
§ 40. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will state the amount paid in supplementary benefits to the families of persons taking part in official and unofficial industrial disputes, respectively, during the past 12 months.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Health and Social Security (Mr. Norman Pentland)In 1968 payments totalling £333,722 were made for the dependants of men involved in trade disputes.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneHas the hon. Gentleman noticed that this annual rate of subsidy from the taxpayer to strikes regularly described by the Prime Minister as "sabotaging the economy" has risen seven-fold since this Government came to power? What do the probation officers from our international creditors have to say about this when they inspect the books from time to time?
§ Mr. PentlandI have no knowledge, without notice, of the last point in that question, but, if payments were not made to the dependants of the strikers, the hon. Gentleman must realise that great hardship would be imposed upon wives and children.
§ Sir E. BullusWill not all this be rather academic when the Government have rushed through their legislation on the subject?
§ Mr. PentlandIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman would put down a Question to that effect, I should be glad to reply.