HC Deb 15 February 1972 vol 831 cc68-9W
Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give a breakdown of social security benefits given to miners and their families relating to wives, dependants and single men, since the start of the current dispute.

Mr. Dean

The figures are shown on the following table. Separate figures for wives and other dependants are not available.

Week ended Wives and other Dependants Single Men
£ £
11th January 600
18th January 68,607 21
25th January 969,047 3,049
1st February 891,157 20,761
8th February 920,659 31,709
Total 2,850,070 55,540

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the aggregate cost to date to public funds of supplementary benefit paid to those involved in the miners' strike, and their families, respectively; and of any payments made after resumption of work.

Mr. Dean

From the beginning of the strike until 8th February £55,540 was paid for strikers and £2,850,070 for dependants.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the aggregate cost to date to public funds of supplementary benefit paid to those involved in the Linwood and Bathgate strikes, and their families, respectively, and of any payments made after resumption of work.

Mr. Dean

From the beginning of the dispute at Chrysler, Linwood, to 8th February, £17 was paid for the strikers themselves, and £60,248 for their dependants. Details of payments made on resumption of work are not yet available.

From the beginning of the dispute at British Leyland, Bathgate, to 8th February, £24,155 was paid, wholly to strikers' dependants. The strike is still in progress.