§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his analysis of the reasons why the number of pensioner households with incomes below the supplementary benefit level rose from 620,000 in 1977 to 920,000 in 1979.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 17 May 1982, c. 45–46]: The increase is thought to have been due to some pensioners having continued to claim housing benefits—rent and/or rates rebates—in 1979, by which time they would have been better off claiming supplementary benefit. This problem should be resolved from April 1983, when the new housing benefits scheme is fully operational.