§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the underpayment from the Consolidated Fund through failure of potential beneficiaries to claim benefits to which they would have been entitled, other than supplementary benefit, in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. OrmeI have no reason to believe that there has been any significant underpayment from the Consolidated Fund.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the underpayment by the Supplementary Benefits Commission through failure of potential beneficiaries to claim benefits to which they would have been entitled in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. DeakinsI would refer the hon. Member to my replies to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, Central (Mr. McNamara) on 5th April 1977 in respect of family income supplement and on the 7th April 1977 in respect of supplementary benefit. Estimates for 1976 are not yet available.—[Vol. 929, c.503–4; Vol. 929, c. 664–6.]
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the underpayment from the National Insurance Fund through failure of potential beneficiaries to claim benefits to which they would have been entitled in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. OrmeNo such estimate can be made, but there is no evidence of any sig552W nificant failure to claim national insurance benefits.
§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the most up-to-date estimate of the amount of unclaimed social security benefits.
§ Mr. DeakinsI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, Central (Mr. McNamara) on 7th April 1977.—[Vol. 929, c.664–6.] Estimates for 1976 are not yet available.