§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many citizens of Ireland were receiving supplementary benefit in 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84.
§ Mr. NewtonDetails of the citizenship or nationality of persons claiming supplementary benefit in this country are not generally collected and the information requested is therefore not available.
§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of children whose parents drew (a) the ordinary and (b) the long-term rate of supplementary benefit in (i) 1966, (ii) 1970, (iii) 1980 and (iv) at the latest available date.
§ Mr. NewtonThe long-term scale rate was introduced in 1973. Between 1966 and 1973 a long-term addition, offset against additional requirements, was payable. However, it is regretted that no information is available about the number of children in families receiving supplementary benefit in 1966 and 1970. The information available is as follows:
(a) Ordinary Rate (1,000s) (b) Long-term Rate (1,000) December 1980 713 413 December 1982 1,266 527