§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what action his Department takes when it is discovered that social security benefit given in respect of clothing, judged to be needed by an officer of his Department, is then spent by the social security claimant on clothing or other goods other than that for which the benefit was granted;
(2) what action to reclaim the money is taken by his Department in cases where it is shown that benefit granted by his Department in respect of exceptional needs is then spent by the claimant on alcohol;
(3) what action to reclaim the money is taken by his Department in cases where it is shown that money paid by his Department to, or on behalf of, a person 398W on social security in respect of furniture is spent on buying or hiring a television set.
§ Mr. OrmeAs I made clear in my reply to the hon. Member on 15th November 1976—[Vol. 919, c. 406–7]—no further payment is made for the item concerned if any evidence of misspending comes to light; and any subsequent exceptional needs payment would be closely controlled.