§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have been in receipt of family income supplement in each year since it was introduced.
§ Mr. Orme:The average weekly numbers of families in receipt of family income supplement— FIS— since the benefit was introduced in August 1971 are shown in the following table. The figures given are estimates, based on sample surveys, and they are, therefore, subject to statistical error.
AVERAGE WEEKLY NUMBERS OF FAMILIES IN RECEIPT OF FIS IN GREAT BRITAIN Financial Year 1971–72 64,700 1972–73 88,400 1973–74 94,900 1974–75 72,000 1975–76 58,900 1976–77 71,100 1977–78 86,400