HC Deb 17 March 1982 vol 20 cc130-1W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what sources his Department uses to cost policy options on methods to assist the elderly with their fuel bills.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what sources his Department uses to cost policy options on measures to assist handicapped people to become independent.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what sources his Department uses to assess the take-up of social security benefits.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what sources his Department uses to assess the degree of awareness and the level of use of preventive health services, such as dental services, antenatal care, family planning and cancer screening.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what sources his Department uses to cost policy options on changes in eligibility criteria for social security benefits and to estimate the numbers and groups likely to be affected by each option.

Mr. Newton

Depending on the issue in hand, the sources of information relevant to a decision may include internal and other administrative statistics, data from surveys such as the family expenditure survey, information provided by other Departments and such other information as is necessary and available, for example, the research project currently being undertaken by the department of epidemiology and social research at Manchester university on cervical cancer screening.

15 May 1979 19 January 1982 16 February 1982
Supplementary pensions in payment 9,204 9,923
Supplementary allowances in payment 6,381 14,379
Pension including widow's benefit, claims activity in previous 4 weeks 1,750 2,370
Main contributory benefits, other than pensions claims activity in previous 4 weeks 4,736 4,144