§ 98. Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many of the 24,000 persons wage-stopped prior to November, 1970, have already been removed from the application of the wage-stop as a result of the rise in National Joint Council rates after the local authority manual workers' strike; and how many further persons will be removed from the scope of the wage-stop when the present review is completed;
(2) how many persons have been removed from the application of the wage-stop regulation as a result of the increase in National Joint Council rates after the local authority manual workers' strike; how much extra supplementary benefit has since been paid out weekly on average to these persons; and how many claimants remain wage-stopped by up to 10s. a week, by more than 10s. but less than £1 a week, by more than £1 but less than £2 per week, and by more than £2 per week.
§ Mr. DeanThe review of wage-stopped claimants following the last National Joint Council increase was completed by 15th January but I regret that because of the postal strike the figures the hon. Member asks for are not yet available. I will write when they are.