§ Mr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines he has laid down for the making of emergency payments by Department of Health and Social Security staff to persons who are destitute over weekends and on public holidays; what Department of Health and Social Security staffing levels are recommended at such times; and what size of emergency funds may be held by such staff.
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§ Mr. DeakinsThe guidelines are that emergency payments should be made to persons whose needs are so urgent that they cannot wait to make claims during normal office hours. The officers dealing with claims for emergency payments are volunteers and the number of officers available and the size of the emergency funds varies according to experience of local demands.