§ 23. Mr. Hileyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for social security payments for rents and rates to be paid direct to the local authority, thus avoiding the cost of collection and of court charges.
§ Mr. DeanThe commission is advised that it would not be a proper exercise of its discretion to make it a general practice to pay rent and rates direct to local authorities, in view of the terms of Section 17(3) of the Ministry of Social Security Act, 1966, which provides that benefit or part of it may be paid to third parties where it appears to the commission that it is necessary for protecting the interests of the claimant or of his dependants, or where the claimant requests it.
If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.