§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons in Northern Ireland now qualify for invalid care allowance; and what was the number as at 1 April 1987, 1 April 1986 and 1 April 1985.
§ Mr. NeedhamAt 1 April 1988, the latest date for which information is available, 4,901 persons were in receipt of invalid care allowance. The corresponding figures for 1 April 1987, 1 April 1986 and 1 April 1985 were 2,137, 686 and 701 respectively.