Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he intends to carry out a survey of the level of take-up of means-tested benefits in the towns and cities of Northern Ireland other than Belfast;
(2) if he intends to carry out a survey of the level of take-up of means-tested benefits in the rural areas of Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Carter,pursuant to his reply [Official Report 4th July 1978; Vol. 953, c. 167], gave the following information:
No. However, commencing in October, the central economic service of the Department of Finance will be mounting a family finances survey to examine throughout Northern Ireland the income and expenditure patterns of families with children whose relative net resources lie within 140 per cent. of their national supplementary benefit entitlement. When it is completed, it is the intention to draw from it the take-up rates of means-tested benefits for such families.