§ Mr. John Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the discretionary payment for repairs and insurance for claimants' houses was last reviewed; what it is now; and whether he will list all other discretionary payments, the date of the last review and the amount.
§ Mr. DeanThe amount included in the assessment of an owner-occupier's requirements for supplementatry benefit purposes by way of an allowance for expenditure on repairs or insurance has been reviewed at intervals since the last increase in 1963. Full details of current allowances were given in my reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Old-ham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 23rd February. Comprehensive details of other discretionary additions, which are kept regularly under review and increased as appropriate, are given in the Supplementary Benefits Handbook, which is available in the Library of the House.—[Vol. 851, c.238.]