§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his practice that, when hon. Members ask questions and the requisite information has
Housing benefit needs allowances Needs allowance at November each year Increase in value 1978 £ 1982 £ 1983 £ 1978–83 per cent. 1982–83 per cent. Single person 27.25 41.40 43.05 58.0 4.0 Couple/lone parent 39.45 61.00 63.50 61.0 4.1 Single handicapped 30.15 46.15 48.00 59.2 4.0 Couple, 1 handicapped/handicapped lone parent 42.35 65.75 68.45 61.6 4.1 Couple both handicapped 44.00 68.00 70.80 60.9 4.1 Dependent child addition 6.55 11.40 11.90 81.7 4.4 Pensioner addition N/A 75p 75p — — (from April 1983) Retail Price Index — — — 68.8 4.8 Note: The main start of the Housing Benefit Scheme was in April 1983 at which date the November 1982 benefit rates were operative.
560Wto be provided by a health authority, he will ask the chairman concerned to provide the information direct to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe would much prefer hon. Members to seek information on local services direct from health authorities. If the hon. Member would like to write to me about any specific difficulty in obtaining such information, I would, of course, look into this.