§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of social security benefits paid out, during the latest 12 month period for which figures are available, in respect of women between the ages of 16 and 60 years; men between the ages of 16 and 65 years, living alone, in which the fact that they are living alone makes a difference to the benefit; and if he will break down the benefits and amounts by main categories.
§ Mr. OrmeI regret that information about the amounts of benefit is not available, but on 1st December 1976 supplementary allowances were payable to lone persons under pensionable age as follows:
Men Women Unemployed persons 72,000 24,000 Sick or disabled persons 19,000 34,000 Widows — 13,000 Others 1,000 2,000 Social security benefits other than supplementary pensions or allowances are not affected by whether a person is living alone.