HC Deb 29 January 1979 vol 961 c314W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total sum paid in social security benefit to the families of those in prison in the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. Orme

The annual expenditure at November 1977 of supplementary benefit paid to prisoners' wives with children is estimated at about £7 million. A separate figure for wives without children is not available since claims by lone women without dependants are not separately analysed. As regards other benefits, the annual expenditure on guardians' allowance at current rates is estimated at £20,000; information for family income supplement and child benefit is not available.