§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the value of arrears of gas and electricity bills, respectively, collected through the agency of the benefit allocation branch during the last complete 12-month period for which figures are available.
§ Mr. CarterNone. Arrears in respect of gas and electricity bills are not collected through the agency of the Benefit Allocation Branch.
§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the aggregate value of deductions made by his Department from social security benefits in respect of arrears of gas and electricity accounts in Northern Ireland during the last complete 12 months for which figures are available; and how many claimants have been so affected.
§ Mr. CarterNone. No deductions are made by the Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services from social security benefits in respect of arrears of gas and electricity accounts in Northern Ireland.