Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Benefits (Claimants) – 24 March 1987

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Benefits (Claimants) on 24th March 1987.

Ms. Harman Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims were received by Peckham, Camberwell, Southwark and Kennington Department of Health and Social Security supplementary benefit offices for single payments in respect of the exceptionally severe weather in January 1987; how many of these claims have been processed; and how many are outstanding.

Mr. Major Information is not available in the form requested. However, up to 24 February 1987 – the latest date for which figures are available – the number of exceptionally cold weather £5 payments made and the number of claims refused by the Peckham, Camberwell, Southwark. Kennington and Oval offices were as follows:

Local office | Number of payments | Number refused

Peckham | 2,006 | 266
Camberwell | 1,854 | 157
Southwark | 3,162 | 311
Kennington Park | 2,988 | 440
Kennington (Oval) | 1,136 | 244

Ms. Harman Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of claimants at the Peckham, Southwark, Camberwell and Kennington Department of Health and Social Security supplementary benefit offices who were entitled to severe weather payments actually claimed for the payments in January of this year.

Mr. Major This information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.