HC Deb 18 November 1981 vol 13 cc175-6W
Mr. Charles Irving

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in the case of (a) the Thames north supplementary benefits office, Scarborough Street, London El and (b) the Thames south supplementary benefits office, Marshalsea Road, London SE1, if he will publish in the Official Report for the most recent week for which there are figures (i) the number of claimants who called, (ii) the number refused any supplementary benefit payment, (iii) the total amount he estimated was paid to claimants, (iv) the number of vouchers for board and lodging issued, (v) the number of single payments for meals and clothing made and (vi) the total amount paid in the form of single payments.

Mrs. Chalker

The information is as follows:

  1. (a) for Thames North the figures are for the week ended 9 November.
  2. (b) for Thames South the figures represent a weekly average for the four-week period ended 27 October.

Thames North Thames South
(i) Total number of callers 1,817 1,002
(ii) Total number of callers refused any supplementary benefit payment 19 24
*(iii) Estimated total amount paid out £52,000 £39,000
(iv) Total number of vouchers issued for board and lodging 266 670
(v) Total number of single payments for meals and clothing 2 None
(vi) Total amount paid in the form of single payments £86 None
* The amount at (iii) includes the total sum of payment in cash and by voucher. It is estimated that Thames South paid £19,500 in the form of vouchers and Thames North £10,100. Precise information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.