HC Deb 03 August 1972 vol 842 c201W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases, for each month since January, 1971, supplementary benefit has been reduced in cases of disallowance of unemployment benefit; for each of these months, how many discretionary additions have been awarded in such cases due to hardship; and what were the causes of hardship.

Mr. Dean

Information about numbers of reductions is obtained annually only on a sample basis. In November, 1971, there were approximately 19,000. The other information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services at which offices throughout the country the four-week rule limiting supplementary benefit for the unemployed is now being applied; at what date it was reapplied in each of these areas; and how many times since that date the rule has been applied in each area.

Mr. Dean

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 8th June.—[Vol. 838, c.153–4.]

The following offices should be added to that list:

Date Rule Re-applied Office London West Region
12th June, 1972 Portsmouth
26th June, 1972 Oxford
10th July, 1972 Acton, Chelsea, Ealing, Hampstead, Holborn-Finsbury, Kensington, Kensington and Chelsea North, Paddington, St. Marylebone, St. Pancras, Westminster.
South Western Region
16th June, 1972 Bath
West Midland Region
22nd May, 1972 Brierly Hill, Hereford
24th May, 1972 Worcester
10th July, 1972 Redditch, Wolverhampton North, Wolverhampton South
17th July, 1972 Newcastle (Staffs.)