§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the net saving in administrative costs that would arise if the responsibility for paying supplementary benefit was amalgamated with the housing benefit scheme and transferred to local authorities; if he has considered transferring the responsibility for paying supplementary benefit to local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonWe have no plans to transfer the responsibility for paying supplementary benefit to local authorities, and have no reason to believe that such a transfer would produce a net saving in administrative costs.
§ Mr. Lesterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost in a full year at assumed 1984–85 benefit rates of paying the long-term supplementary benefit rate to the long-term unemployed (a) aged 50 to 59 years and (b) 55 to 59 years.
§ Dr. BoysonThe estimated cost would be £90 million for those aged 50 to 59 years and £45 million for those aged 55 to 59 years.