Strikers (Supplementary Benefits)

Mr. Finsberg
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the current arrangements made by his Department or the Supplementary Benefits Commission for payments to official and unofficial strikers and their families in cases of hardship.

Mr. Dean
Under Section 10 of the Ministry of Social Security Act, 1966, supplementary benefit is payable for the dependants of strikers, but not for the requirements of the strikers themselves. Where refusal of benefit for the requirements of the striker himself would cause undue hardship payments are occasionally made under the general discretionary  powers of Section 13 of the same Act. The Act does not distinguish between official and unofficial strikers.

Mr. Finsberg
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount of money disbursed in the financial years 1968–69 and 1969–70 and in the first six months of the current financial year by the Supplementary Benefits Commission and/or his Department in cases of hardship to official or unofficial strikers and their families.

Mr. Dean
The following is the information requested: ----------------------------------------
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|Financial Year 1968–69                |
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|Financial Year 1969–70                |
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|First six months April—September, 1970|
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Separate figures relating to official and unofficial strikers are not available.