§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 25 October,Official Report, column 504, on what statistical analysis he has based his policy towards teenage lone parents claiming one-parent benefit; and if he will now make it his policy to collect details of the number of such parents.
§ Mr. BurtOne-parent benefit is an increase of child benefit which is available to all lone parents who fulfil the qualifying conditions, regardless of age. Statistical information on the ages of lone parent income support recipients is contained in the Annual Statistical Enquiry. In addition, further information on teenage lone parents is available through a number of surveys and research projects commissioned by the Department, but very detailed tabulations are not always available due to small sample sizes and prohibitive costs.