HC Deb 17 July 1973 vol 860 cc235-6
6. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Supplementary Benefits Commission has agreed to his request to review its criteria for increasing benefit where a family's income is insufficient to cover the expenses of visiting a dependent child in hospital.

Sir K. Joseph

Yes, Sir. The commission has not yet completed its review but expects to do so shortly.

Mr. Sutcliffe

In conjunction with my right hon. Friend's circular in May to encourage better hospital liaison with voluntary organisations, does not this go a long way to meet the representations made to my right hon. Friend by the National Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital?

Six K. Joseph

We shall have to see how far the commission feels it possible to go. I know that it is studying in great detail the report from the National Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Supplementary Benefits Commission to extend its review to cases of wives visiting their husbands who are in prison, very often hundreds of miles away?

Sir K. Joseph

That is a different question. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to put it down, I will give an answer.