§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many (a) pensioners and (b) persons of non-pensionable age were being paid supplementary benefit at each office in the county of Cumbria during the period from 23 December 1981 to 19 January 1982.
§ 1981. Mrs. ChalkerThe latest available information relates to 9 December 1981, and is as follows:
Local Office Supplementary Supplementary pensions allowances Carlisle 3,000 4,300 Kendal 1,300 1,200 Penrith 800 800 Whitehaven 1,800 2,300 Workington 2,300 3,100 Barrow in Furness 3,700 3,800 Notes
Source
2. Figures rounded to nearest 100.
3. The figures may include people living outside the county of Cumbria itself.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the net cost of restoring the 5 per cent. abatement of unemployment benefit (a) in 1982–83 and (b) in a full tax year;
(2) what is his estimate of the savings resulting from abolition of the earnings-related supplement to unemployment benefit (a) in 1981–82 and (b) in 1982–83.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his most recent estimate of the cost of extending entitlement to the long-term rate of supplementary benefit to unemployed people (a) after a year on supplementary benefit and (b) after a year of unemployment; and how many people would benefit in either case.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIt would cost about £210 million to extend the long-term rate to unemployed people if they qualified after a year in receipt of the ordinary rate of supplementary benefit. This assumes that some 600,000 claimants would qualify, at November 1981 benefit rates. I shall provide information in response to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question as soon as possible.