asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons received social security benefits in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, respectively.
Information is not available in the form requested, but on average the total number of benefits and allowances, including supplementary benefit, industrial injuries benefit, war pensions, family income supplement and family allowances, being paid in any week in the years specified was as follows:
| 1970 | 17 million |
| 1971 | 17 million |
| 1972 | 18 million |
| 1973 | 18½ million |
that the area will need in ( a) 1980 and ( b) 1985; how these estimated figures compare with the number of such beds currently ( a) needed and ( b) in existence; what plans have been prepared to meet the present and future demands for such beds; and whether, if the building of the new area general hospital at Castle Lane, Bournemouth, is delayed, it will be possible to provide these beds in any other way.
The figures requested are set out in the following table:benefits and allowances. Figures for 1974 are not yet available.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount paid out in social security payments in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, respectively.
The amounts paid out were as follows:
| Expenditure | |
| (£m.) | |
| Year ended 31st March | |
| 1970 | 3,393 |
| 1971 | 3,634 |
| 1972 | 4,223 |
| 1973 | 4,789 |
| 1974 | 5,277 |