HC Deb 25 May 1971 vol 818 cc57-8W
48. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total payment of supplementary benefit and/or national assistance to strikers and their dependants in the first four months of all the years between the establishment of the National Assistance Board and the coming into force of the Ministry of Social Security Act, expressed cumulatively; and the total payment in the first four months of each of the years since the latter date.

Mr. Dean

Following is the information:

1. Total amount of national assistance paid out in trade disputes during January to April of the years 1951 to 1966 inclusive was £287,349. (Figures are available only from 1951 onwards.)

2. Payments of supplementary benefit in trade disputes during January to April of the years 1967 to 1971 inclusive:

Year Total Paid
£
1967 29,869
1968 99,632
1969 195,162
1970 277,031
1971 3,715,725

3. All the figures quoted relate to payments to the dependants of persons disqualified for receiving benefit for their own requirements together with the very small amount of payments made on a discretionary basis to persons disqualified for their own needs. Payments made after return to work are not included.