§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of people claiming sickness and invalidity benefit at the present time; and what was the number of people claiming sickness and invalidity benefit in February 1987.
§ Mr. PortilloThe total number of people claiming sickness and invalidity benefit as at 9 February 1988 was 1,298,000, and at 10 February 1987 was 1,297,000 (figures rounded to the nearest thousand).