§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people of working age are receiving supplementary benefit in Northern Ireland at the latest available date; how this compares with the number in May 1979; and what is the percentage increase.
§ Mr. Chris PattenAt 14 February 1984, the latest available date, 123,329 people of working age were in receipt of supplementary allowances in Northern Ireland. At 15 May 1979 58,398 people of working age were in receipt of supplementary allowances. This represents an increase of 111.2 per cent.