HC Deb 29 July 1988 vol 138 cc825-6W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest information regarding the number of claimants who as a result of delays in the processing of(a) the new family credit benefits and (b) the reimbursement of housing benefit losses resulting from the changes in April have incurred debt.

Mr. Scott

I shall write to the hon. Member.

Mr. David Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what it the total aggregated sum of unclaimed social security benefits; whether he will make arrangements for such sums to be held and accounted separately; and whether he will now make plans to distribute these sums in the form of capital sums to appropriate recipients.

Mr. Lester

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the number of people claiming(a) supplementary benefit-income support, (b) rent rebates-allowances, (c) rate rebates and (d) family income supplement-family credit, in each year since 1975, including estimates for 1988, distinguishing between pensioners and those of working age and between certificated and standard housing benefit.

Mr. Scott

I shall write to my hon. Friends.