§ 1. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to publish full details concerning the methods of payment of discretionary supplementary benefits.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Mr. David Ennals)A handbook, giving comprehensive information about the way the Supplementary Benefits Commission exercises its discretion under the Supplementary Benefits scheme, is in an advanced stage of preparation. It is intended to publish it in the first part of 1970.
§ Mr. HamiltonHow comprehensive is comprehensive? Will it contain all the information giving the discretionary powers exercised by local officials, so that any recipient might understand what he is entitled to?
§ Mr. EnnalsI think that it will give all that sort of information. It is not the "A" code, which includes a great deal of procedural instructions and could only create confusion. It is primarily designed for social workers and those who will advise claimants, so that they may know the basis on which decisions are taken.
§ Mr. FortescueDoes the Minister agree that if the "A" code were published in full it is very possible that there would be increasing abuses of the social security system?
§ Mr. EnnalsI would not like to say that. It would create a great deal of confusion, because it is a detailed administrative memorandum. It would be far less helpful than the document we are to publish.