§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of Scottish children(a) in total and (b) as a percentage dependent on supplementary benefit and income support in each year from 1978–79.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe latest information is in the table.
Children in Scotland Date Total1 Dependent on Supplementary Benefit2 Percentage November 1978 1,285,600 120,000 9.30 November 1979 1,254,400 109,000 8.71 December 1980 1,222,200 119,000 9.76 December 1981 1,188,400 154,000 12.97 December 1982 1,151,400 183,000 15.75 December 1983 1,132,700 177,000 15.52 December 1984 1,106,100 195,000 17.66 February 1986 1,062,200 212,000 20.00 May 1987 1,042,900 216,000 20.71 1Total number of children in Scotland supplied by OPCS from mid-year population estimates. 2 Number of children in Scotland dependent on supplementary benefit, from annual statistical inquiries.