§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the aggregate cost to public funds of supplementary benefit payments made to those involved in industrial disputes to their dependants, and on resumption of work and not subsequently recovered, since the inauguration of statutory control over wages and prices; and what is the corresponding figure in respect of industrial disputes arising from the rejection of wage claims which employers have been advised that they would be in breach of the legislation to accept.
§ Mr. DeanPayments of supplementary benefit between 30th November 1972 and 1st January 1974 for strikers' families and strikers' own urgent needs were, respectively, £731,997 and £2,950. During the same period £104,065 was paid after 257W resumption of work and is fully recoverable. I regret that the other information requested by my hon. Friend is not recorded and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.