§ Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to the answer of the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) 12 June, Official Report, column 750, how many benefits have an administrative percentage cost of 41.37 per cent.; and if he will list the percentage costs of administering each of the state benefits.
§ Dr. BoysonThe estimated costs of administering the main social security benefits are as follows:
Benefit* Administration cost as percentage of total cost† Retirement pension 1½ Widows' benefit 3 Unemployment benefit 8 Sickness and invalidity benefits 6½ Industrial disablement benefit 7½ Maternity allowance 2½ War pension 3 Attendance allowance and invalid care allowance 4 Mobility allowance 2½ Supplementary benefit 8½ Child benefit 2½ Family income supplement 4½ Maternity grant 35 Death grant 41½ Housing benefit 2½ * The administration costs of the smaller benefits cannot be estimated separately. †Administration costs are expressed as a percentage of benefit plus administration cost.
§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for Birkenhead on 14 June, Official Report, column 567, if he will detail for each of the categories of benefits listed the size of the shortfall in keeping each benefit in line with price rises since May 1979; and if he will estimate the savings in revenue which have resulted in not maintaining the real value of all benefits since 1979.
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§ Dr. BoysonI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.