§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what, for the most recent date, is his estimate of the percentage of unsupported mothers having an income above and below the level of the supplementary allowance.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the powers which children's departments of local authorities have to enable them to support persons like unsupported or lone parents whose children might otherwise be received into care; whether he is satisfied that such powers are adequate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThese powers have now been transferred to the social services142W committees of local authorities. The list is as follows:
- Section 22 of the National Health Service Act, 1946.
- Section 21 of the National Assistance Act, 1948.
- Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1963.
- Section 13 of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968.
We are satisfied that these powers are adequate.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the percentage and numbers of unsupported mothers living with parents or relatives, in private rented accommodation, in owner-occuper housing or in council housing, etc.
§ Mr. DeanFull and reliable information is available only for those unsupported mothers—some 212,000 in November 1970, out of a total of about half a million—who were receiving supplementary benefits. Of these, some 55,000 (26 per cent.) were living in the household of a parent, relative or friend; 48,000 (23 per cent.) in private rented accommodation; 13,000 (6 per cent.) in owner-occupied housing; 92,000 (43 per cent.) in local authority housing; and the remaining 4,000 lived rent-free, or in boarding or Part III accommodation, etc. These figures do not include any unsupported mothers in full-time work, who are not eligible for supplementary benefits; and the proportions given are not necessarily representative of unsupported mothers generally.