§ Mr. Bowisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the reasons for the pocket money differential in supplementary benefit payments to long-term patients in mental hospitals and to boarders in residential care accommodation of £7.90 and £11.50 per week respectively; and if he will explain how these figures are calculated.
Claims from people over pension age Per cent. successful Claims from unemployed people Per cent. successful Claims from others Per cent. successful 1979–80 277,328 65.8 3,444,005 75.9 1,785,305 75.8 1980–81 303,313 66.6 4,192,426 73.9 992,660 71.0 1981–82 319,749 67.8 4,441,554 72.6 892.028 70.8 1982–83 320,658 68.5 4,697,770 74.8 903,396 71.0 1983–84 367,748 58.3 4,549,870 82.0 1,089,789 66.2 1984.85 386,491 52.9 4,404,368 82.6 1,384,252 77.1 1985–86 460,167 40.8 4,327,657 81.1 1,093,966 55.9 1986–87 462,042 39.3 4,139,814 79.9 1,011,467 55.7