asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would have been the saving to public funds if the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation had paid strike pay to its members at a rate of (a) £5 per week, (b) £10 per week and (c) £12 per week.

Up to 25 March the estimated saving in supplementary benefit would have been £ ½ million, £1¾ million, and £2¼ million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest sum of public funds that have been paid (a) to steel strikers and (b) to their dependants since the beginning of the dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the cost to date to the taxpayer of social security payments to (a) steel strikers and (b) their families during the current dispute.

Up to 25 March, £90,000 and £8,051,000 respectively in supplementary benefit.