§ Mr. Coombsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the annual cost to the Exchequer of extending the longer term rate of supplementary benefit to the unemployed after (a) two years and (b) one year.
200W
§ Dr. BoysonThe supplementary benefit long-term scale rate is payable automatically to all claimants aged 60 or over. The annual cost at November 1983 benefit rates of extending the long-term rate to unemployed claimants under 60 after two years would be £220 million and after one year £480 million.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it remains the policy of the chief supplementary benefit officer to make public all his guidance on the supplementary benefit regulations which has a significant bearing on a claimant's entitlement to benefit.
§ Mr. NewtonYes.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will place in the Library copies of circulars which have a significant bearing on entitlement to supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. NewtonYes, I have placed copies of circulars S/138, 139, 142, 143, 147 and 159 in the Library today.