§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (i) how many supplementary benefit claimants have now been transferred to rate and rent rebates/ allowances (ii) how many of these are over and how many under pensionable age (iii) of those under pensionable age how many are sick or disabled, unemployed, women under 60 years of age with dependent children and national insurance widows under 60 years of age; and how many children are in the families of claimants so transferred.
§ Mr. MeacherSince the special exercise began in October 1974 nearly 87,000 claimants had decided to give up supplementary benefit in favour of housing benefits when the last count was taken on 20th January 1976. Information is not available on the ages or personal circumstances of the persons concerned, nor are figures available for those who chose to transfer before October 1974.