Mr. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in Wales had automatic deductions made from their basic benefit to pay for (a) electricity, and (b) gas because of debt, during the last year for which full figures are available.
§ Mr. PortilloInformation is not available precisely in the form requested. The number of supplementary benefit claimants in Wales who were having automatic deductions made from their benefit for payment direct to the fuel authorities in February 1986 (the latest available information) was:
Number Electricity 10,281 Gas 7,653 Source: Supplementary Benefit Statistics (Annual Inquiry) February 1986.