HC Deb 20 July 1987 vol 120 cc70-1W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in London are currently in receipt of (a) supplementary benefit, (b) family income supplement and (c) housing benefit.

Mr. Portillo

This information is not available in the precise form requested.

The Greater London area is served for supplementary benefits purposes by 66 of the Department's offices but their boundaries are not conterminous. The total number of people claiming benefit from those offices, as at 5 May 1987, the latest available information, was 764,206. Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action.

Information about people claiming family income supplement in the London area is not available.

The total number of people in receipt of rate rebates in the London area—comprising Inner, Outer and the City of London — as at 3 July 1987, the latest available information was 861,086. Source: Sum report of Local Authority returns for 1987–88.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the infant mortality rate in London for 1986; and what was the comparable figure in 1983.

Mrs. Currie

The provisional infant mortality rate—deaths under one year of age per 1,000 live births—for the Greater London council area for the year 1986 is 9.1. The corresponding figure for 1983 is 9.4.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the total number of bed losses in National Health Service hospitals in London for each of the past five years; and, of these, how many were acute beds.

Mrs. Currie

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.