§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) in what circumstances payments are made to social security claimants in respect of fares to interviews for employment; how many such payments were made in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the total cost to public funds;
(2) in what circumstances payments are made to social security claimants in respect of fares to social security offices; how many such payments were made in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the total cost to public funds;
(3) in what circumstances payments are made to social security claimants in respect of fares to visit sick relatives not in hospital; how many such payments were made in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the total cost to public funds;
(4) in what circumstances payments are made to social security claimants in respect of fares to visit children in care; how many such payments were made in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the total cost to public funds;
(5) in what circumstances payments are made to social security claimants in respect of fares to visit relatives in hospital; how many such payments were made in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the total cost to public funds.
§ Mr. OrmeThe Supplementary Benefits Commission's Policy on the payment of fares is explained in the Supplementary Benefits Handbook (revised February 1977), a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The information requested on numbers of payments and expenditure is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.