§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the annual expenditure on widow's benefit in Great Britain, Scotland, Wales and the eight English regions in 1973 and 1974 in£million and per head of population.
§ Mr. MeacherEstimates for 1972–73, the latest year for which information is available, are as follows:
EXPENDITURE ON WIDOW'S BENEFIT Country or Region Total amount £ million Amount per head of population £ Great Britain 217.6 4.01 England 186.8 4.03 North 14.8 4.50 Yorkshire and Humberside 20.1 4.17 East Midlands 11.7 3.42 East Anglia 5.7 3.34 South East 67.5 3.90 South West 14.0 3.65 West Midlands 21.0 4.08 North West 31.9 4.72 Wales 11.1 4.05 Scotland 19.7 3.78 The method of estimating these figures has been improved since estimates for pre- 308W vious years were given. Consequently, the present figures may not appear to be consistent with the earlier figures.