§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of recipients in Northern Ireland and the total amount paid in (a) death grant, (b) maternity allowance and (c) special diet supplement and special laundry supplement for the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Chris PattenIt is estimated that in the 1983–84 financial year 14,000 persons in Northern Ireland received death grants at a total cost of £400,000 and that 11,600 women in Northern Ireland received maternity allowances at a total cost of £4,400,000. Information about special dietary and laundry supplements is not held in the precise form requested. However, on 7 December 1983, the latest date for which figures are available, the estimated numbers of supplementary benefit recipients whose additional requirements included special dietary and laundry expenses and the annual amounts involved were as follows:
Numbers Annual requirements £ Special diets 21,100 2,746,000 Laundry 1,300 130,000 The amount of money actually paid to recipients in some long-term cases is reduced by up to £1 per week.