§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish figures showing total benefit expenditure by his Department on lone parents, other than widows, in 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1982, distinguishing so far as is possible between the different types of benefit involved, and also relating the expenditure to total expenditure by his Department in each year.
§ Mr. NewtonThere is only one benefit directed specifically to lone parents other than widows, viz, one-parent benefit, which was introduced in 1976. Most other benefits are payable whether or not the claimant is a lone parent other than a widow. It is not therefore possible separately to identify that part of benefit expenditure which is paid to such claimants. However, information which is readily available is as follows:
80W
£ million 1960–61 1970–71 1980–81 1982–83 One-parent benefit — — 61 91
1960–61 1970–71 1981–82 1982–83 Child benefit paid for children whose parent receives one parent benefit — — 150 220 Supplementary benefit paid to lone parents other than recipients of widow's benefit 15 85 585 915