§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people of working age were receiving supplementary benefit in (a) the west midlands, (b) the black country area of the region and (c) the Walsall travel-to-work area or the closest areas conveniently available in May 1979 and at the latest available date; and if he will also give the change in percentage terms.
38W
§ Mr. NewtonThe number of cases in action for people of working age within the west midlands, black country and Walsall areas at May 1979 and December 1982, together with percentage increases between those dates, were as follows:
Thousands May 1979 December 1982 Per cent. increase West midlands 126.3 309.7 145.2 Black country (Dudley and Wolverhampton) 13.3 39.0 195.5 Walsall 6.4 18.1 182.8 Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action.
§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people of working age had been receiving supplementary benefit for over 12 months in (a) the west midlands, (b) the black country area of the region 39W and (c) the Walsall travel-to-work area or the closest areas conveniently available in May 1979 and at the latest available date; and if he will give the change in percentage terms.
§ Mr. NewtonThis information could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people of working age have been receiving supplementary benefit for over 12 months; what was the figure in May 1979; and what has been the change in percentage terms.
§ Mr. Newton880,000 in December 1981, the latest date for which information is available, and 610,000 in November 1979, the only date in 1979 for which information is available; an increase of 44 per cent.
§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the percentage change in the number of people of working age receiving supplementary benefit between May 1974 and May 1979, and between May 1979 and the latest available date.
§ Mr. NewtonFigures are not available for May 1974. Between April 1974 and May 1979 there was a 27 per cent. increase, and between May 1979 and August 1982, the latest date for which figures are available, a 108 per cent. increase.
§ Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why persons on training courses, who are funded by the Manpower Services Commission, are eligible for supplementary benefit to support their families during the period of the course when those who either fund themselves or are funded by private industry are excluded.
§ Mr. NewtonUnemployed persons who are privately funded while attending training courses are eligible for supplementary benefit provided that they can satisfy the adjudicating authorities that they are available for full-time work. Those who receive a training allowance from the Manpower Services Commission are exempt from the requirement to be available.
The reason for this difference in treatment is that when the Manpower Services Commission pays a training allowance, the Department can be satisfied that the course in question is of good standing, that it is suited to the individual's needs, and that its completion will improve his prospects of obtaining work. These conditions are not necessarily satisfied for other courses. The MSC is, of course, always prepared to consider a request for funding from any person who wishes to undertake a training course which meets the criteria I have described.
The hon. and learned Member may be interested to know that the Manpower Services Commission is planning to publish shortly a discussion document on adult training.