§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish figures showing expenditure specifically for lone parents on one parent benefit, supplementary benefit and housing benefit in 1960, 1970, 1980 and at the latest date for which figures are available, at current and at constant prices.
§ Mr. MajorThe available information on benefits paid to lone parents is as follows:
Great Britain £ million 1960–61 1970–71 1980–81 1985–86 Expenditure in cash terms One-parent benefit — — 61 134 Supplementary benefit* 20 90 640 1,200 Housing benefit† — — 50 500 Expenditure at 1985–86 prices‡ One-parent benefit — — 85 134 Supplementary benefit* 120 450 890 1,200 Housing benefit† — — 60 500 * National assistance in 1960–61. † Local authority rebate schemes in 1980–81. Information for earlier years is not available. ‡ Converted to constant prices using the retail price index.