§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that, during the period from January, 1969, to June, 1970, the average cost of payments of supplementary benefit to strikers and their families was £17,000 a week and £61,000 a week between July, 1970, and December, 1971; and to what extent this increase was due to higher benefits and to the increased numbers of persons on strike, respectively.
§ Mr. DeanYes. Approximately £3,500 of the increase was due to higher benefits and £40,500 was attributable to the increased number of strikers drawing supplementary benefit.