§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he has given to the position of some foster parents whose claims to supplementary benefit payments have been disallowed; if he will ensure that that such foster parents will be entitled to benefit in the future; and if he will make a statement.
508W
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to her reply, 29 February 1980, c. 792]: The Supplementary Benefits Commission's general rule is that someone who does not have sole care of her own dependent children is required to register for work as a condition of receiving supplementary benefit. If such a person fosters a child and is, therefore, unable to satisfy this condition, the commission expects the fostering agency to provide any necessary financial support. My right hon. Friend has no proposals to change this policy.