HC Deb 25 November 1987 vol 123 c242W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the number of people in Northern Ireland and the number of dependants covered thereby claiming supplementary benefit in 1979 and at the latest available date.

Mr. Needham

The information is as follows:

November 1979 February 1986
Supplementary benefit claimants 115,359 184,374
Dependent partners and children 91,116 188,056

Source: Annual survey—5 per cent, sample.