§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families in (a) West Yorkshire and (b) the Huddersfield area are currently in receipt of family income supplement; and how these figures compare with those for 1983 and 1980.
§ Mr. WhitneyClaims and awards of family income supplement (FIS) are dealt with centrally and information for local areas is available on a DHSS regional basis only. The number of FIS recipients at the end of July in 1980 and 1982 in Yorkshire and Humberside region, which included West Yorkshire and Huddersfield, is as follows:
Yorkshire and Humberside Year Number 1980 9,000 1982 16,000 The structure of the regions was changed in 1983 and the new north-eastern region now includes west Yorkshire and Huddersfield. The new region is considerably larger and I regret it is not possible to adjust the figures for a valid comparison to be made. Figures are not available for 1983 when the reorganisation took place.