§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the 694W aggregate cost to public funds of supplementary benefits paid to those involved in industrial disputes, and to their dependants, respectively, in each of the calendar years 1974 to 1978, inclusive, and in the course of the current calendar year to date.
§ Mr. OrmeFor the years 1974 to 1977 I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Brotherton) on 29 January—[Vol. 961, c.313.] The information for 1978, and for 1979 up to 20 February—the latest date for which figures are available—is as follows:
Those involved in industrial disputes Dependants £ £ 1978 5,755 3,325,110 1979—to 20 February 1,207 785,354