§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will state in the Official Report the guidance given to benefit officers of his Department and the basis upon which such officers make an assessment of high heating costs when considering the eligibility of a claimant to a heating addition.
§ Mrs. ChalkerGuidance to benefit officers on the Act and regulations is contained in the S manual and in memoranda issued by the Chief Supplementary Benefit Officer. The memoranda are being published—the first, "Guidance to Supplementary Benefit Officers, Claims for Single Payments", has been placed in the Library of the House—and it is hoped to publish the S manual around the end of the year. Guidance on the assessment of heating additions generally is contained in the S manual, but if the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and would care to write to me I should be happy to explain the relevant provision.