§ Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Supplementary Benefits Commission in withdrawing a woman's supplementary benefit because she is co-habitating with a man, will take action to prevent hardship where there are children of a former union who are not being supported by their own father.
§ Sir K. Joseph:The commission has decided that in these circumstances it will use its discretionary powers to continue to pay supplementary benefit where necessary to meet those children's requirements for a period of four weeks to give the family time to adapt to the changed circumstances. After that time some benefit will continue to be paid if the resources of the whole family—including the man's earnings and family income supplement—are insufficient for their requirements—that is, are below supplementary benefit level.