§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state the number of single parents drawing supplementary benefit in 1974, 1979 and for the latest date; and if he will also state separately the number of dependants.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe information requested is as follows. The figures exclude cases of temporary separation and prisoners' wives.
(000) November 1974 November 1979 May 1987 Numbers of lone parents 265 318 659 Number of children under 16 503 539 1,037 Number of dependants over 16 12 19 57 Total of dependants (all ages) 514 558 1,094 Source: annual statistical inquiries 1974, 1979 and 1987