§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many organisations submitted evidence to the inquiry being carried out by the Supplementary Benefits Commission into the cohabitation rules; how many meetings the inquiry has so far held; when it held its first meeting; and when it expected to report.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThe commission started its present study of the "cohabitation rule" by asking for a report by its inspectorate on the administration of the rule. The inspectorate reported in December 1974 and the commission then set up a small working party which first met on 16th January 1975. Eight further meetings have been held and eight organisations have submitted evidence. The working party has also considered much other evidence that has come to the commission's notice in the last two or three years. The commission hopes to present its report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services in the autumn.