§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that in most of the countries of the European Economic Community there is no system of supplementary benefits for those who are poor, but are not eligible for unemployment benefit or its equivalent; and what plans he has to harmonise British social security legislation with that of the Community.
§ Sir K. JosephMember countries of the Community have locally administered schemes of social assistance providing means-tested benefits for those in need. There is nothing in Community law which would require us to change the principles on which our supplementary benefits scheme is based.