HC Deb 01 December 1970 vol 807 c1070
24. Mr. Eadie

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost to public funds of supplementary benefits for the families of miners involved in the recent industrial dispute; and if he will list the cost in each area.

Mr. Dean

As the reply consists of a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Eadie

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that allegations are coming from the coal fields that his Ministry is being fairly bloody-minded about giving benefits that people think should be legitimately given? Will he give a categoric assurance that he will not be responsible for wives and children of miners suffering because of the sort of ideological baying one gets from his hon. Friends when one mentions miners?

Mr. Dean

I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Department looks very sympathetically at these cases. There is no intention that wives and children should suffer when men are on strike. Equally, we are right to take account of the disquiet on this matter expressed both in the House and in the country.

Following is the information:

COALMINING DISPUTE AUTUMN 1970—SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Payments to dependents during dispute Payments after return to work*
£ £
Yorkshire and Humberside 146,148 176,301
Wales 88,933 16,446
Scotland 14,813 61,142
West Midlands 16 640
London South 34 1,177
Northern 4,200 15,100
East Midlands — 2,102
254,144 272,908
Note: All figures may be subject to revision in the light of final returns.
* Figures to 24th November, 1970.