§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked 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. OrmeExpenditure figures for calendar years are not readily available, but the cost of the benefits by financial years is as follows:
§ Mr. OrmeI 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.