§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people claimed supplementary benefit in Rhondda constituency in(a) 1979 and (b) 1985; what 679W percentage change that represents; and what was the percentage change in (i) staff handling supplementary benefit and (ii) all staff at local offices of his Department for the same period.
§ Mr. PortilloInformation is not available in the precise form requested. The Rhondda constituency is served by Porth and Rhondda, West local offices of the Department, although the boundaries are not conterminous.
The number of people in receipt of supplementary benefit, and the percentage increase between the years requested, is as follows:
Porth Rhondda West Totals Percentage increase 1979 2,984 5,150 8,134 — 1985 4,227 7,825 12,052 48 Source: 100 per cent. count of cases in action in May of each year.
The staffing figures for 1979 are no longer available. Details of the percentage change in staffing cannot therefore be supplied.