§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will estimate the number of blind householders aged over 85 years now claiming supplementary benefit who will be entitled to less than their current income under the provisions of the Social Security Bill, disregarding the protection of the transitional arrangements; and if he will give the basis of his calculations;
(2) how many blind people claiming supplementary benefit now get a diet addition; and how many of these will be entitled to less than their current income under the provisions of the Social Security Bill, disregarding the protection of the transitional arrangements;
(3) how many blind people claiming supplementary benefit also get mobility and attendance allowance; and how many of these will be entitled to less than their current income under the provisions of the Social Security Bill, disregarding the protection of the transitional arrangements.
§ Mr. NewtonNo such estimates can be made, since no decisions have yet been taken about either the benefit rates payable from April 1987 under the present system, or the benefit rates payable from April 1988 under the system proposed in the Social Security Bill.