HC Deb 03 November 1987 vol 121 cc692-3W
Mr. Cousins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the figures for basic food costs for children, as expressed in the deductions from diet addition claims in clause 4736 of the 'S' manual; and if he will express those deductions for children aged under 11 years, 11 to 15 years, and 16 to 17 years as a percentage of the deductions for adults.

Mr. Scott

The figure for an adult in paragraph 4736 of the S Manual (£11.30) represents the average expenditure on food as originally derived from certain data in the 1979 family expenditure survey and subsequently uprated in line with the food element of the retail price index. The figures for children represent approximately 30 per cent. of the supplementary benefit scale rate. The figures were last uprated in November 1985. The figures are as follows:

Age of child S 4736 figure £ As percentage of adult figure (£11.30)
Under 11 3.00 26.5
11–15 4.40 38.9
16–17 5.50 48.7

Mr. Cousins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many child dependants of supplementary benefit claimants were claiming diet additions in November 1985, November 1986, and September 1987; and if he will give those figures for each age band.

Mr. Scott

I regret that the information is not available. Statistical data on supplementary benefit dietary additions do not show to which member of the assessment unit the award relates.