HC Deb 02 April 1979 vol 965 cc529-30W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many claims for benefit lodged at the Falls Road social security office in 1978 were disallowed; what proportion this figure represents of the total number of claims made at the office; and how this proportion compares with the figures for the other social security offices.

Mr. Carter

In the 52-week period ending 26 December 1978 the Falls Road social security office received 13,305 claims to supplementary benefit. In the same period the office determined 12,837 claims, of which 1,549 or 12.1 per cent. of claims were disallowed. The average number of claims disallowed at other social security offices in Northern Ireland was about 17.2 per cent. of claims.

Precise information is not available on the number of disallowed unemployment benefit claims but in the same period:

  1. (a) the total number of claims for benefit was 9,696;
  2. (b) the number of claims disallowed by the insurance officer was 1,323 or 13.6 per cent. of the number of claims;
  3. (c) the equivalent percentage for all social security offices in Northern Ireland was 11.3 per cent.

The number given at (b) does not include decisions where benefit was disallowed because of failure to fulfil contribution conditions. In addition, some claims may also have been disallowed on more than one occasion in the year, for example for persistently refusing suitable employment.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the amount of benefit paid each week by the Falls Road social security office in the last financial year; and what was the number of beneficiaries.

Mr. Carter

This information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Payment of unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit through social security offices is made either by weekly girocheque or by 52-week order book. In the week ending 3 March 1979 about 5,900 girocheque payments totalling approximately £142,500 were issued by the Falls Road social security office.