HL Deb 21 March 1979 vol 399 cc1259-60WA
Lord VAIZEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the numbers (i) eligible and (ii) claiming Family Income Supplement for each year since the scheme's inception.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and SOCIAL SECURITY (Lord Wells-Pestell)

I regret that information is not available in the form requested, but my noble friend may find it helpful to refer to tables 32.05 and 32.16 inSocial Security Statistics 1976 published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Table 32.05 shows with additional detail the total numbers of claims for family income supplement (FIS) processed up to 1976. The numbers processed in 1977 and 1978 were 152,449 and 160,449 respectively. Table 32.16 gives an estimate of FIS take-up in 1975, which is the most recent reliable estimate of take-up currently available. Note (b) to Table 32.16 gives estimates of FIS take-up from 1972 onwards. It is hoped that the Family Finances Survey, now in progress, will yield better information on take-up based on a much bigger sample of low income families with children than is available from the Family Expenditure Survey (the source of Table 32.16).

House adjourned at seventeen minutes past eight o'clock.