§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what circumstances somebody who claims to be stranded in a particular city, town or village in the United Kingdom, is given cash, a Giro cheque or vouchers by his Department to enable the claimant to travel to another place in the United Kingdom; on how many occasions this has happened over the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what the total cost has been to public funds.
§ Mr. OrmeThe Supplementary Benefits Commission has discretionary powers to pay benefit where necessary to prevent hardship; such payments are few, and the information is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions in the last 12 months for which figures are available his Department has made grants to stranded persons travelling from one place to another; and on how many occasions the money involved has been repaid.