HL Deb 01 March 1982 vol 427 c1168WA
Lord Blease

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will state the numbers of people in Northern Ireland receiving the means-tested benefits listed below during the years 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981:

  1. (i) Supplementary Benefits;
  2. (ii) Family income supplements;
  3. (iii) Rent rebates;
  4. (iv) Rent allowances;
  5. (v) Rate rebates;
  6. (vi) Free school meals.

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (The Earl of Gowrie)

The information requested is set out below:

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981
Supplementary Benefit(1) 115,232 116,446 115,359 128,993 149,977
Family Income Supplement(1)(5) 8,401 8,906 8,139 8,455 10,109
Rent Rebates(1) 17,538 19,215 20,342 20,714 27,720
Rent Allowances(1)(2) — 252 1,318 1,587 1,995
Rate Rebates(3) 34,577 35,201 34,785 39,076 Not yet available
Free School Meals(4) 72,860 84,297 75,070 63,080 73,519
(1) average yearly figures.
(2) Rent allowance scheme first introduced on 1st October 1978.
(3) Figures are for the financial year i.e. 34,577: 1st April 1977–31st March 1978 etc.
(4) Annual Census figures, taken on a day in October.
(5) Numbers of families—not individuals.