HC Deb 05 December 1983 vol 50 c63W
Mr. Donald Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the amount of unemployment benefit paid in the United Kingdom in the month of October 1979, and the amount paid in the latest month for which figures are available.

Dr. Boyson

In October 1979, £54 million was paid as unemployment benefit in the United Kingdom; in July 1983, £114 million.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons, in the area covered by the county of Gwynedd, are in receipt of industrial benefit arising out of disablement caused by pneumoconiosis, silicosis and associated lung diseases; and how many widows are in receipt of widows industrial death benefit arising from the same causes.

Mr. Newton

Information in the form requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, at 30 September 1981, the latest date for which figures are available, an estimated 8,750 persons in Wales were in receipt of disablement pensions for pneumoconiosis, which includes silicosis and asbestosis. Information is not available about the number of widows in Wales who are in receipt of industrial death benefit.