§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the number of (a) claimants and (b) dependants who are unemployed and drawing supplementary benefit in the Birkenhead constituency;
(2) what is the number of (a) claimants and (b) dependants who are unemployed and drawing supplementary benefit in the Wirral, West constituency;
(3) what is the number of (a) claimants and (b) dependants who are unemployed and drawing supplementary benefit in the Wirral, South constituency.
§ Mr. PortilloInformation is not available in the precise form requsted. The constituencies of Birkenhead, Wirral, South and Wirral, West are each served by Birkenhead, North and Birkenhead, South local offices but the boundaries are not conterminous.
The number of unemployed people claiming supplementary benefit at these offices on 5 May 1987, the latest available figures, is as follows:
Number Birkenhead, North 7,223 Birkenhead, South 4,478 Information is not kept locally about the numbers of claimants' dependants.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will continue to allow young people of 16 to 18 years old who choose a 21-hour course of further education as an alternative to the YTS to qualify for supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. ScottThe Government intend to implement the manifesto commitment to withdraw benefit entitlement from people in this age group who choose to remain unemployed and we shall be bringing forward legislation in due course to achieve this. The detail of the change is still being considered and it would be inappropriate at this stage to comment on this particular aspect.