The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.
Mr. Rooker
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many special payments on grounds of urgent need because of natural disasters have been made in each of the past five years; at what total and average cost; and if any of these payments have had to be repaid
Mrs. Chalker
The available information relates only to major disasters and is in the table below. Information is not available about payments made recoverable, but they are thought to be very few.
| Number of payments | Total cost | Average cost | |
| £ | £ | ||
| 1974 | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 1975 | 163 | 6,660 | 41 |
| 1976 | 88 | 1,700 | 19 |
| 1977 | 322 | 6,400 | 20 |
| 1978 | 547 | 13,330 | 24 |