§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of young people of 16 and 17 years of age in receipt of supplementary benefit; and what is the weekly total amount paid to this age group in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Chris PattenOn 7 December 1983, the latest date for which information is available, some 6,200 claimants aged 16 or 17 were receiving supplementary benefit. To total weekly amount is not readily available but the majority of existing claimants in this age group are likely to be currently receiving the ordinary non-householder rate of £17.30.