asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of supplementary benefit claimants who were rent stopped for each year since 1970; and if she will list the average rent stop deduction for each of these years.
The number of claimants whose rent was not met in full and the average amount of unmet rent was as follows:—
| 1970 | 32,000 | £1·20 |
| 1971 | 32,000 | £1·05 |
| 1972 | 15,000 | £1·79 |
| 1973 | 13,000 | £2·15 |
| 1974 | 12,000 | £3·10 |
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether cheques issued to claimants by her Department or by the Supplementary Benefits Commission for the purchase of specific articles, such as furniture, may be used to purchase other articles, such as motor cars; and if she is satisfied that abuse of payments does not arise.
Giro cheques specifically for items such as furniture will normally be issued in the name of the supplier. I have no evidence that abuse of the kind described does occur.