§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many extra-statutory payments have been made by his Department in the latest year and how much money is involved, giving separate figures for compensation and payment in respect of benefit.
§ Dr. BoysonDuring 1982–83, special payments (extra-fstatutory and ex gratia) were made in individual cases as follows:
Number of cases Amount £ Payment in lieu of benefit 3,058 149,687 Compensation for delay 259 79,546 In addition, payments were made pending rectification of deficiencies in statutory provision as follows:
i. Payment in recognition of minor deficiencies in the Supplementary Benefit (Conditions of Entitlement) Regulations including some estimated amounts—£635,156.
ii. Payment of rate rebate subsidy to GLC acting as agent for rating authorities. The Act specifies that the subsidy can only be paid to rating authorities—£1,738,172.
Complete information on the number of cases is not held centrally. Finally, £7,317,601 was paid out as emergency payments when benefit could not be paid normally due to industrial action.