§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in theOfficial Report details relating to the meals allowance payable to people in boarding accommodation but who do not have all the meals provided, showing (a) the percentage increase in 459W such meals in each year from 1982 to 1987, (b) figures available for each constituent within the United Kingdom and (c) regional variations in the cost of such meals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloStatistics on the number of people in boarding accommodation who do not have all meals provided are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information on the regional variations in the cost of such meals is not collected.
The maximum payable by way of meals allowances has remained at £29.40 a week since November 1984. Percentage increases from 1982 to 1984 are set out in the table.
Percentage increase in Supplementary Benefit Meals allowance Per cent. 1982 7.35 1983 6.85 1984 7.69