§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the number of new claimants for discretionary benefits in the Strathclyde region in each of the first nine months of 1980–81, compared with the equivalent months in 1979–80.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI assume the hon. Member is referring to the discretionary lump-sum payments (ENPs) and weekly additions (ECAs) paid to supplementary benefit claimants. The number of ECAs paid in Strathclyde during this period is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate expense.
The number of new claimants who received ENPs is not known, but I hope to be able to write to the hon. member shortly with figures for claimants at offices in the Strathclyde area.