HC Deb 09 February 1977 vol 925 c698W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total cost in each of the years 1974, 1975, and 1976 of unemployment benefit;

(2) what was the total cost in each of the years 1974, 1975 and 1976 of sickness benefit;

(3) what was the total cost in each of the years 1974, 1975 and 1976 of supplementary benefits.

Mr. Orme

Expenditure figures for calendar years are not readily available, but the cost of the benefits by financial years is as follows:

Mr. Orme

I understand that the Supplementary Benefits Commission does not consider television sets to be an essential need and, therefore, neither meets the cost of television licences nor pays for hire-purchase debts in respect of sets.