HC Deb 28 June 1983 vol 44 cc62-3W
21. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were on supplementary benefit in May 1983; and how many had been on supplementary benefit for more than six months, 12 months and 24 months.

Dr. Boyson

Information is not available for May 1983. At December 1982, there were 4.3 million people in receipt of supplementary benefit, of whom 3.3 million had been in receipt for not less than six months, 2.8 million for not less than 12 months and 2.1 million for not less than 24 months.

25. Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest number of children living in households dependent upon supplmentary benefit; and how this compares with 1979.

Dr. Boyson

At February 1983, the latest date for which figures are available there were 1.83 million dependent children in families dependent upon supplementary benefit. The corresponding number in November 1979 was 0.96 million.

41. Mr. John Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of households in Lambeth are in receipt of supplementary benefits.

Dr. Boyson

The information requested is not collected on a regular basis. Taking the April 1981 census as providing a broad indication of the current total number of householders in Lambeth, the proportion receiving supplementary benefit in February 1983 was about 25 per cent.

48. Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families in Glasgow are in receipt of supplementary benefit.

Dr. Boyson

Information is not available in the form requested. The number of supplementary benefit cases in action in local offices in Glasgow — excluding Cumbernauld—at February 1983 was 118,917.

49. Mr. John Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families are in receipt of supplementary benefit at the latest available date; and what was the figure in May 1979.

Dr. Boyson

At December 1982, there were 4,254,000 people in receipt of supplementary benefit of whom 921,000 had dependent children. Corresponding figures are not available for May 1979. At November 1978, there were 2,932,000 people in receipt of supplementary benefit of whom 535,000 had dependent children.