HC Deb 13 May 1983 vol 42 cc570-1W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people, not being retired from employment, were in receipt of supplementary benefit in the Hull travel-to-work area on 5 May 1979 and on 5 May 1983, respectively.

Mr. Newton

The numbers of cases in action in the Hull local offices on 5 May 1979 and on 15 February 1983, the latest date for which figures are available, were as follows:

May 1979 February 1983
(thousands) (thousands)
Hull East 7.4 15.1
Hull West 7.6 13.1

Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were in receipt of family income supplement on 5 May 1979 and on 5 May 1983, respectively.

Mr. Newton

The following table indicates the number of families receiving family income supplement at the end of April 1979 and at the end of February 1983, the latest date for which information is available.

End April 1979 End February 1983
One Parent Families 38,000 76,000
Two Parent Families 40,000 104,000
78,000 180,000

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice his Department has given to local authorities as to the circumstances in which a claimant will receive a claim form for standard housing benefit on ceasing to be a certificated case.

Mr. Rossi

The Housing Benefits Regulations (SI 1982 No. 1124) require authorities to invite a further claim for housing benefit in all cases where the claimant is no longer entitled to qualifying supplementary benefit and therefore ceases to be certificated. The point is dealt with in Circular HB(82)2, paragraph 8.19. This was issued to local authorities in July 1982 and a copy is in the Library of the House.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in the last year for which figures are available in receipt of (a) sickness benefit and (b) invalidity benefit were referred to a regional medical officer by the insurance officer; and in what proportion in each case their benefit was subsequently withdrawn.

Mr. Rossi

The information requested is not available.