§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons receive more than £100 per week in respect of invalidity benefit in (a)England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland.
§ Mr. RossiAt current benefit rates, an invalidity benefit recipient with dependency increases for an adult and eight or more children can receive over £100 a week. Those with an adult dependant and seven children could also receive more that £100 a week if a weekly total of more than £5.90 in invalidity allowance, graduated pension and additional component were also in payment. The numbers of people in these situations are so small that it is not possible to estimate them precisely from the sample which forms the basis of the Department's statistics.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the problems caused for families who receive on a bank draft sums in excess of £100 per week invalidity benefit when the draft is delivered after the banks close on a Friday, if he will raise the sums payable without recourse to a bank draft.
§ Mr. RossiThe £100 limit on uncrossed girocheques is not causing significant problems at present, but to avoid future difficulties the limit in Great Britain will be increased later this year to £150. Practice in Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.