asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average payment of social security benefits, including housing benefit, paid to unemployed claimants at the latest date for which figures are available.

The estimated average weekly payment of social security benefits to unemployed claimants for 1984–85 was £44. This includes certificated housing benefit but excludes standard housing benefit and those benefits such as child benefit which remain payable in the event of the claimant not being unemployed.