§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the extent of the increase in social security payments which are anticipated in Wales; and what is the underlying assumption regarding unemployment figures in Wales on which this figure is based.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI assume the hon. Member is referring to the Government's expenditure plans for 1980–81 as recently published in Cmnd. 7746.
The social security programme is prepared and costed as a single programme for the whole of Great Britain. This is because benefits are paid at uniform 753W rates throughout the country. In costing the programme no assumptions are therefore needed on the geographical distribution of beneficiaries, including the unemployed, within Great Britain.
The information requested is, therefore, not available.