HC Deb 24 November 1971 vol 826 cc387-8W
Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list all those benefits in cash or in kind for which his Department is wholly or partly responsible which are subject to a means test, the estimated number of people entitled to them, and the number of people who have claimed their entitlement.

Sir K. Joseph

Estimating entitlement is for some of the benefits very difficult because of the many factors involved.

The main benefits for which my Department is directly responsible and the most recent totals of successful claimants are as follows:

Supplementary Benefits
Recipients of Regular Weekly Allowances
Recipients as at 21st September, 1971 (excluding dependants) 2,935,000
Expectant mothers and young children in receipt of free welfare milk and vitamins (latest available figure at November, 1970) 236,000
Recipients of Single Payment to Meet Immediate Need
During period 21st April, 1971 to 19th October, 1971 1,575,000
Other Benefits to Persons not in Receipt of Supplementary Benefit
Successful Awards during the Period 21st April, 1971 to 19th October, 1971 (six months)
Free welfare milk and vitamins (to 21st September, 1971) 82,000
Prescription charges 63,000
Dental costs 58,000
Optical costs 100,000
Hospital fares 9,000
Family Income Supplement
Awards current at 15th November, 1971 60,000
In addition certain supplementary benefit beneficiaries also benefit under the Family Income Supplements Act.
Expectant mothers and young children in receipt of free welfare milk and vitamins (latest available figures at September, 1971) 50,000

The benefits administered by local authorities for which my Department is partly responsible are as follows:

  1. (a) Statutory Assessments
    • Residential accommodation for the elderly or handicapped.
    • Temporary accommodation.
    • The numbers of those eligible are not known, but the most recent totals of those accommodated were 110,000 and 21,000 respectively.
  2. (b) Discretionary Assessments
    • Children in care—parental contribution.
    • Residential accommodation for mothers and babies.
    • Day nurseries.
    • Residential accommodation for the mentally disordered.
    • Meals in centres for the mentally disordered, elderly or handicapped.
    • Meals on wheels.
    • Recreation for the elderly or handicapped. Personal aids and equipment.
    • Adaptation of houses.
    • Home Help.
    • Chiropody.
    • Convalescence and recuperative holidays.
    • Family Planning.

Information on these benefits, which are given at the discretion of the local authority, is not available.