§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report a list of all items for which payment has been made to social security claimants; and what is the standard sum made in payment for these items.
§ Mr. DeakinsI assume the hon. Member is referring to lump-sum payments made by the Supplementary Benefits Commission under its discretionary powers, where there exceptional needs. Table 21 on page 64 of the Commission's Annual Report 1975 (Cmnd. 6615) shows the main items for which such payments were made in 1975 and the average payment. The individual payments will have been60W made for items which the Commission considered essential.