§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue guidance to local authorities that when a rent allowance is payable to a person in receipt of a supplementary pension the allowance should be paid direct to the Department of Social Services, and thus obviate the need for any change in the pension book.
§ Mr. ChannonRepresentations have been received from a number of local authorities and their associations recommending a change to the present arrangement of local authorities themselves paying rent allowance to tenants in receipt of supplementary benefit. These representations are now being considered by the Department of Health and Social Security and my Department to see if a better arrangement for these tenants can be devised.