HC Deb 21 May 1974 vol 874 cc105-6W
Mr. Lee

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what has been the number of supplementary benefits claimants in Birmingham in the last two years; in total and in each of the following classifications: (a) supplementary pensioners, (b) single-parent families, (c) claimants classified as unemployable, (d) claimants unemployed and wage-stopped, (e) claimants unemployed but not wage-stopped, (f) claimants off work sick and (g) others; and if she will also break these figures down into figures for each local office serving Birmingham;

(2) what is the number of claimants in Birmingham who have received exceptional needs payments and exceptional claims allowances in the last two years; and what was the average amount paid.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as the available information has been complied.

Mr. Lee

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of supplementary benefits claimants in Birmingham who are rent-stopped; and what figures she has as to the average amount stopped for the last two years.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

I regret that the information is not available.

Mr. Lee

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of cases of supplementary benefits claimants in Birmingham where the four-week and twelve-week rules have been applied in the last two years.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

388 claimants had their allowances limited to four weeks at the outset of claim, and three after they had received an allowance for about 13 weeks. The operation of the four-week rule has been suspended generally since last December.