asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many extra people would be eligible for supplementary benefit if the long-term rate was paid to all claimants under pensionable age after a year; and what would be the cost of raising the national insurance benefit rates so as to prevent the earlier payment of the long-term rate increasing the numbers eligible for supplementary benefits.

[pursuant to her reply, 27 July 1979, c. 668]: The answer to the first part of the question is "None". The second part does not therefore arise.