HC Deb 04 February 1992 vol 203 c157W
Mr. Patchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many south Yorkshire families were dependent on state benefits in 1979, 1990 and the latest available date in 1991.

Miss Widdecombe

I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.