§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals she has for changing the qualifying requirements on the procedure for application of students for supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. O'MalleyNone at present. As already announced by my right hon. Friend in her reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Whitehaven (Dr. Cunningham) on 29th July—[Vol. 896, c.429]—the question of students' claims to benefit is being examined by an inter-departmental working party.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many students claimed supplementary benefit in the months of July, August and September of this year; and what was the cost of the payment of benefit to them.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThe information is not available in the form requested. In one week in August 64,000 students were in receipt of supplementary benefit and the average amount paid was £7.19 a week.