asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide figures for the estimated expenditure and numbers eligible in the year 1978–79 for non-contributory invalidity pension, housewives' non-contributory pension, invalid care allowance, attendance allowance, mobility allowance, invalidity pension, invalidity benefit and all other cash benefits and supplements payable to long-term sick and disabled people; and if he will list adjacently the actual expenditure and numbers claiming these benefits during the same period.

[pursuant to his reply, 15 January 1980, c. 7I5]: The Department's estimates of expenditure on benefits are subject to continuous review in the light of numbers claiming the benefit during the year. The table below gives for 1978–79 the actual expenditure and estimated number of beneficiaries at spot dates for the respective benefits.therefore reviewing the scope of this publication, and am considering how speedier publication can be achieved.