HC Deb 11 January 1977 vol 923 cc449-50W
41. Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now introduce residential qualification for all social security benefits.

Mr. Orme

No. Any further residential qualification for social security benefits would be inappropriate. Such qualifications for supplementary benefit would make it more difficult to assimilate into the community those who have been allowed to make their homes here; and would have to be waived in cases of hardship. This would severely limit any possible saving in public funds they might hypothetically produce.