§ 37. Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons he estimates are now in receipt of supplementary benefit compared with the end of the Government's first year of office and at the time of the General Election.
§ Sir K. JosephIn September, 1971, there were 2,935,000 people receiving supplementary benefit, an increase of 47,000 over June, 1971, and 262,000 over June, 1970.
§ 52. Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much has been paid out in the last 12 months for which figures are available by his Ministry in hire-purchase payments for persons in receipt of supplementary benefits, and how this compares with the previous 12 months.
§ 60. Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the cost of paying supplementary benefit to unemployed school leavers under 16 years of age.
§ Sir Keith JosephNone.
§ 73. Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to pay supplementary benefit to school leavers under 16 years of age.
§ Sir K. JosephNo. The maintenance of young people under 16 is the responsibility of their parents. If the parents are receiving supplementary benefit, the child's requirements are taken into account. The school-leaving age is being raised to 16 next year.