§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in each of the three categories mentioned in regulation 70(2) of the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 were receiving income support at the latest date for which information is available from the Derby London road and Becket street offices of his Department.
§ Mr. PortilloI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people entitled to supplementary benefit long-term rate did not claim at that rate at the latest date for which figures are available; how many of those were aged 60 to 79 years; how many of these are entitled to income support including the higher pensioner premium; how many are currently in receipt of income support with that premium; and what would the cost be of 100 per cent. take up.
§ Mr. PortilloA note on the latest available take-up estimates for supplementary benefit (which are for 1983) has been put in the Library. The note repeats a reply previously given on 30 October 1986 at columns231–34. Supplementary benefit take-up estimates for pensioners are particularly uncertain. The reasons for this are briefly outlined in the note described above and a more technical explanation entitled "Supplementary Benefit Take-Up, 483W 1983: Technical Note" is also in the Library. Take-up estimates for income support are not yet available and will not be so for some years. On the assumptions set out in "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits" some 150,000 pensioners aged 60 to 79 would receive the higher pensioner premium.