§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many consumers in Scotland pay for gas or electricity by means of direct deductions from supplementary benefit; what is the average weekly deduction; and how many people were taken off the fuel direct system when housing benefit was introduced.
§ Dr. BoysonIn December 1982, the latest date for which information is available, there were about 31,000 supplementary benefit claimants in Scotland paying for electricity by the direct payment scheme, and about 10,000 paying for gas by the direct payment scheme. The average payments were £7.20 a week for electricity and £5.21 for gas. Information on the number of claimants who were taken off the fuel direct scheme in Scotland when housing benefit was introduced is not available.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of families and the number of people living in families, with incomes (a) below supplementary benefit levels, (b) at supplementary benefit levels, (c) within 120 per cent. of supplementary benefit levels and (d) between 120 per cent. and 140 per cent. of supplementary benefit levels, distinguishing between families where the head is in full-time paid work and those where the head is retired, unemployed or sick, or a lone parent.
§ Dr. BoysonThe most recent estimates are contained in a set of tables entitled "Low Income Families — 1981" a copy of which is lodged in the Library of the House. I regret that I am unable to justify the cost of reproducing the tables in theOfficial Report.