§ Mr. Clayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total amount of supplementary benefit paid for mortgage interest in each of the past 10 years;
(2) what is the total number of claimants whose mortgage interest was paid under supplementary benefit in each of the past 10 years.
§ Mr. Whitney:Information is not available in the precise form requested. The estimated amount of money added in the assessment of mortgage interest and ground rent, together with the number of claimants for each year from 1974 to 1982, which are the latest figures available, is as follows:
Year Claimants Amount added in Assessment £ million 1974 84,000 11 1975 98,000 20 1976 123,000 27 1977 124,000 33 1978 105,000 26 1979 98,000 31 1980 134,000 71 1981 196,000 124 1982 235,000 170 Source: Annual Statistical Enquiries.