§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people(a) below the age of 20 years, (b) aged 20 to 29 years and (c) aged 30 years or over without accommodation were in receipt of income support in Scotland at the latest available date; and how many of them were unemployed at the time.
§ Mr. Roger EvansSince publication of income support statistics for May 1991, collation of this information in local benefit offices is no longer undertaken by clerical means but by the income support computer system. However, although all main functions are in place, work is incomplete on some functions less central to everyday operation. This includes the process to retrieve information on claimants without accommodation. Steps have been taken to introduce an appropriate retrieval process from the May 1994 statistical inquiry, information from which is expected to be available in early 1995.
Figures for May 1991 show that there were 1,000 income support recipients in Scotland without accommodation.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates have been made of the take—up rate of income support by those potentially able to apply in the 55 to 65 years age group of(a) men and (b) women.
§ Mr. Roger EvansI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) on 21 June at column142.