§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what circumstances his Department pays for car repairs of persons on social security; on how many occasions this has happened in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what has been the cost.
§ Mr. OrmeI am advised that the Supplementary Benefits Commission assists with the cost of car repairs only in very rare cases, such as when a claimant's car breaks down some distance from his home and payment of the repair bill is the cheapest way of getting him home. In196W appropriate cases the cost can be recovered from subsequent benefit payments. Records of the small number and the cost of such cases are not kept. There are also special measures to assist disabled people with the running costs of a car.