asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the aggregate cost to public funds of social security benefit paid to those involved in the steel strike, and on behalf of their dependants, respectively; and what estimate he has made of strike or other benefits paid by the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation to those it has ordered out on strike.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total sum that has been paid to date in supplementary benefit (a) to steel strikers, and (b) to strikers' dependants.

Up to 18 March, £70,300 and £7,264,000 respectively in supplementary benefit. The answer to the last part of the question is "None".