§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply of 19 December 1984, Official Report, column 219, if he will place in the Library copies of any recent evidence of the reasons for increases in the number of supplementary benefit claimants living in board and lodging accommodation.
§ Mr. WhitneyI refer the hon. Member to our consultative document, "Supplementary Benefit Board and Lodging Payments", containing the proposals which we have referred to the Social Security Advisory Committee, copies of which are in the Vote Office.
§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many people of working age claimed supplementary benefit for 12 months and more in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the Walsall borough area in May 1979; and if he will give the latest figures for the three groups and the percentage difference in each case;
(2) how many people aged 45 years and over received supplementary benefit for 12 months and more in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the Walsall borough area in 1979; and if he will give the latest figures for the three groups and the percentage difference in each case.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe information requested is not immediately available. I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people of working age claimed supplementary benefit in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the West Midlands area and (c) the Walsall borough area in May 1979; and if he will give the latest figures for the three groups and the percentage difference in each case.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe information is as follows:
(thousands) May 1979 July 1984 Percentage increase United Kingdom 1,355 3,400 151 Midlands area* 204 560 175 Local Offices situated in Walsall 6.5 20.6 222 Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action at local offices. * Figures are for whole midlands area, since the West Midland social security region no longer exists.