HC Deb 08 July 1968 vol 768 cc32-3W
Mr. Wallace

asked the Minister of Social Security how many retirement pensioners in the area served by her Norwich office were in receipt of supplementary payments in July, 1964; and how many to the nearest date in 1968.

Mr. Pentland

About 7,100 in July, 1964, and about 10,100 in May, 1968. In some instances the supplementary benefit would also cover the needs of a retirement pensioner wife.

Mr. Wallace

asked the Minister of Social Security how many people in the area served by her Norwich office not qualified to receive contributory benefits are in receipt of supplementary payments to the nearest date.

Mr. Pentland

About 2,900 excluding the unemployed in May, 1968. About 1,100 unemployed persons (some of whom were receiving unemployment benefits) were also receiving supplementary benefits in May, 1968.

Mr. Wallace

asked the Minister of Social Security, if she will state to the nearest date how many people in the area served by her Norwich office are in receipt of supplementary benefits; and if she will classify such recipients into their respective categories such as retirement pensioners, etc.

Mr. Pentland

About 15,300 in May, 1968. These recipients fell, broadly, into the following categories:

Retirement pensioners 10,100
Widows over 60 250
Other persons over pension age 1,200
Total supplementary pensioners 11,550
Widows under 60 300
Persors in receipt of sickness and industrial injuries benefit 650
Other persons sick or disabled 800
Women under 60 with dependent children 800
Unemployed 1,100
Miscellaneous (mainly persons at home looking after aged or sick relatives) 100
Total supplementary allowance recipients 3,750
Total supplementary benefit recipients 15,300