§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support applications in each month in 1990–91 and 1991–92, were not granted on the grounds that a partner/wife was employed for 16 or more hours per week in(a) the United Kingdom as a whole, (b) Scotland, (c) England, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland; and if he will also publish comparable figures for 1986–87 with a cut-off point of 24 hours per week.
§ Mr. BurtThe information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Matters relating to Northern Ireland are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.