10. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretarry of State for Social Services whether she will have consultations with the Supplementary Benefits Commission concerning the reduction of supplementary benefit to those who take in lodgers, including students.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Alec Jones)I know that my hon. Friend is concerned over the outcome in a particular case, about which we shall be writing to him in due course. But in general I do not think that consultations with the commission are called for.
Mr. MitchellIs my hon. Friend aware that when a pensioner or other person on supplementary benefit takes in a student, one-third of what the university pays on behalf of the student is regarded as profit and the supplementary benefit is reduced accordingly? Does he not agree that in this day and age one-third is a ridiculous figure, especially as it is having an extremely serious effect in university towns by making it difficult for the university authorities to place students in suitable lodgings?
§ Mr. JonesI take the point made by my hon. Friend. However, there is no evidence that that is in fact so and that 229 this arrangement acts as any sort of disincentive to people to take in students. I appreciate my hon. Friend's point regarding the supplementary benefit disregards. As the House knows, we intend to review the supplementary benefit disregards as soon as resources permit.