§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Minister of Social Security what was the amount paid in supplementary benefit for the first six months after the abolition of National Assistance compared with the amount paid in the previous six months when it was still in existence.
§ Miss HerbisonAs the supplementary benefits scheme did not commence until 28th November, 1966, it is not yet possible to make the comparison requested. However, the estimated gross expenditure for the first three months of the new scheme was about £92 million compared with about £69 million paid in National Assistance grants and non-contributory old-age pensions during the previous three months.