§ 12. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the work of the Supplementary Benefits Commission.
§ Mr. OrmeYes, Sir. The Commission discharges its responsibilities in an informed and sensitive way.
§ Mr. KnoxIs the Minister satisfied that the Commission is able to deal with the increased work load since 1974 which has been caused by the big increase in the number of poor people needing benefits since the Government came to power?
§ Mr. OrmeThe hon. Gentleman's last point is not correct. The work load of the Commission has increased because the Government have introduced new benefits for people who need them. The Commission is examining, through the supplementary benefits review, whether it can bring forward proposals to improve the situation.
§ Mr. Robert HughesIs it not often an arbitrary choice whether people apply for supplementary benefit or for rent and rate rebates from local authorities? Is it not iniquitous that, having applied for a local authority benefit, people remove themselves from the possibility of benefiting from the electricity discount scheme? What can the Commission do about that?
§ Mr. OrmeThe Commission is looking at this point. My hon. Friend will realise that there is a problem of overlapping benefits and people getting supplementary benefits and rent or rate rebates. We understand that this problem is created by the poverty trap. We want to remove the poverty trap, and the Commission is examining this matter.