HC Deb 23 July 1975 vol 896 cc241-2W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish the latest information available to her on the number of supplementary beneficiaries who have been identified as persons who would be better off by claiming rent rebates or allowances or rate rebates; how many decided to give up supplementary benefit; and what was the average amount of financial advantage in these cases, and the estimated administrative cost of the operation since 30th September 1974.

Mr. Meacher

Information is not available on the numbers identified but at the last count on 13th May about 70,000 beneficiaries had so far decided to transfer to housing benefits. Their average financial gain is not known. The administrative cost to the Department is estimated to be about£250,000.