§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the light of the fact that German and French girls living in the YWCA at Bristol can claim up to £21 a week in supplementary benefit for up to six months, whether there is a limit to the amount which can be claimed by people living in more expensive accommodation and how the weekly sum is arrived at.
§ Mr. OrmeThe amount of supplementary benefit to which a claimant is entitled is calculated under the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976 according to his individual circumstances. The Act lays down no maximum amount of benefit but, in deciding the amount to be allowed for rent, the Supplementary Benefits Commission has to consider whether the rent is reasonable.