To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants he expects to be better off (a) in cash terms, and (b) in terms of their real disposable income, following on the changes in social security in April.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's reply to the hon. Members for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) and Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) earlier today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the inclusion of loans within the new social security system, he will make it his policy to help to expand independent debt counselling and advice services by providing financial support in addition to that currently provided by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Money advice for supplementary benefit recipients who have serious financial difficulties has been provided in this Department by special case officers for several years. Social fund officers have been trained to undertake these duties in future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the number of families with children who will gain financially, and the numbers who will be unaffected, following implementation of social security reforms.

Many commentators have noted favourably that 90 per cent. of all families with children in receipt of benefit will gain or experience no change in cash terms.