§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will reconsider the ruling whereby supplementary benefit claimants in receipt of adoption allowances from their local authority, under section 32 of the Children Act 1975, have the sum of that allowance less an amount of £4, which is disregarded, deducted from their weekly benefit payment.
§ Mr. NewtonI refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Members for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 14 May 1982—[Vol. 23, c.337]—and to the hon. Member for Crewe (Mrs. Dunwoody) on 20 May 1982—[Vol. 24, c. 185–6].
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are currently employed to deal with supplementary benefit claims (a) in London and (b) elsewhere; how many claims are currently being processed; what is the ratio of staff to claims; and if he will give the comparable figures for May 1979.
§ Mr. NewtonI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.