§ 17. Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the figure for the average annual increase in spending on long-term stick and disabled people(a) since 1979 and (b) for the period 1974 to 1979.
§ Mr. ScottWe are currently spending £10.1 billion per year on benefits for long-term sick and disabled people. This represents an annual increase of £470 million per year at 1990–91 prices since 1979, compared with £310 million per year between 1974 and 1979.
§ 19. Sir Bernard BraineTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the most recent figure for the90W average annual increase in spending on long-term sick and disabled people since 1979; and what were the comparable figures for the period 1974 to 1979.
§ Mr. ScottI refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Torridge and Devon, West (Miss Nicholson).