HC Deb 06 June 1985 vol 80 cc235-6W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the number of recipients, and the total amounts of (a) death grant, (b) maternity allowance, (c) special diet supplement and (d) special laundry supplement claimed in the London borough of Newham for each of the past five years.

Mr. Whitney

The London borough of Newham is served by three of the Department's local offices: Canning Town, Plaistow and Woodgrange Park. Figures are not available to show either the number of recipients of death grant, maternity allowance, and additional requirements in supplementary benefit cases for diet and laundry or the total amounts paid.

However, the number of claims for death grant and maternity allowance in the four years ending 9 April 1985 were as follows (figures for 1980–81 are not available):

Death Grant 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85
Canning Town 260 408 317 271
Plaistow 795 995 874 718
Woodgrange Park 922 1,197 1,162 871
Totals 1,977 2,600 2,353 1,860
Maternity Allowance 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85
Canning Town 509 527 550 249
Plaistow 1,207 1,233 1,310 770
Woodgrange Park 1,669 1,773 2,014 1,029
Totals 3,385 3,533 3,874 2,048

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much was spent on unemployment benefit and other benefits to unemployed people in Newham for each of the last five years.

Mr. Whitney

This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.