§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether
RECIPIENTS OF REGULAR WEEKLY NATIONAL ASSISTANCE/SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT Thousands December 1965 November 1974 August 1975 All National Assistance/Supplementary Benefit 143* 166 183 All Pensions 88 104 98 Retirement Pensioners and NI 76 96 91 Widows aged 60 or over† Others 12 8 7 All Allowances 55 62 86 Unemployed with NI Benefit 3§ 5 Unemployed without NI Benefit 8§ 16 42‡ Sick and disabled with NI Benefit 14 8 7 Sick and disabled without NI Benefit 30‡ 13 13 NI widows under age 60 3 3 Women without dependent children 14 16 Others 2 2 * Excludes unsupplemented Non Contributory Old Age Pension. † In 1965 widows aged over 60 with NI widows' pension are included with those aged under 60. ‡ Further breakdown not available. § Figures for 1965 may include some unemployed cases who received no payment of supplementary benefit during the week preceding the enquiry. Note
(a) Due to rounding, individual components may not sum to the totals.
(b) The table is based on a sample of supplementary benefit cases current at the dates shown.
616Wthere is any increase in sickness benefits during recognised holiday periods.
§ Mr. MeacherThere is no national evidence of this, but there has been evidence from time to time in particular areas of an increase in the number of claims at recognised holiday times. Our local offices have instructions to check on the level of claims round about recognised holiday periods and to apply special checks to claims when there is any evidence of an increase. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me know if he is conscious of any particular problem.