§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the most accurate up-to-date figures he has of the number of pensioners on benefit in(a) Southwark, (b) London, (c) England and (d) the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HagueThe information is not available in the form requested. Figures are not available in relation to Southwark and London. Figures are available for England and Great Britain. Information relating to Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The figures relate to the numbers of pensioners receiving individual benefits: they do not represent the total number of pensioners receiving benefit —subject to the exceptions shown in the footnotes a pensioner may receive any combination of the benefits listed.