asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many additional payments have been allowed to persons drawing supplementary benefit to provide for rent increases during 1970; and what was the average increase allowed.

I regret that the information requested is not available. The average amount added by way of rent allowance in the assessment of requirements for all recipients of supplementary benefit increased from £1 17s. in February, 1970 to £1 19s. 6d. in November, 1970.