§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many special payments on grounds of urgent need because of natural disasters have been made in each of the past five years; at what total and average cost; and if any of these payments have had to be repaid
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe available information relates only to major disasters and is in the table below. Information is not available about payments made recoverable, but they are thought to be very few.
Number of payments Total cost Average cost £ £ 1974 Nil Nil Nil 1975 163 6,660 41 1976 88 1,700 19 1977 322 6,400 20 1978 547 13,330 24