§ Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to amend the Supplementary Benefit Act 1966 to require the commission to have regard to the cost of rent arrears to local authorities as well as the interests of the claimants in allowing direct payment of rent.
§ Mr. DeakinsNo. It is already the commission's policy that benefit should be paid direct to a local authority or private landlord where a claimant persistently fails to pay his rent.