§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many exceptionally severe weather payments were made to claimants in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland in each year since 1980.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information requested is as follows:
Single Payments of Supplementary Benefit for Extra Fuel used During Periods of Exceptionally Severe Weather Thousands 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 Scotland * — 60 — — — England * — 200 — — 159 Wales * — 19 — — 11 Total 278 170 * Not available.
Figures rounded to the nearest thousand and may not sum as a result.
438Wdepartments is not a reliable guide to the overall incidence of disability, as registration is voluntary and local authorities may renew and update their records on different timescales. There is no information held centrally about the total number of mentally disordered people.
The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys is conducting on behalf of the Department a national survey of people with significant disabilities to obtain comprehensive and up-to-date information about their numbers, circumstances and needs. The results are expected to be published in 1988.
Figures for Northern Ireland should be obtained from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.