§ Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the current estimated levels of non-uptake of social security benefits by type of benefit and Department of Health and Social Security region.
§ Mr. PrenticeI have no national or regional estimates of the current proportions of those entitled to social security benefits who take up their entitlement. Such estimates as are available are national and inevitably refer to past years and cover only a very few benefits.
The hon. Member, however, may find it helpful to refer to page 105 of the annual report of the Supplementary Benefits Commission for 1978, which gave regional information on the take-up of supplementary pensions in 1976. There was also a study by the Commission in 1978 which is generally available (Take-up of Supplementary Benefits; Supplementary Benefits Commission Administration Paper No. 7).
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§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the savings which would result to public funds from paying all social welfare benefits on a quarterly basis in arrears through the banks, if he will allow recipients to use such a scheme, offering them 10 per cent. tax free interest on the benefits as an incentive.
§ Mr. PrenticeNo.