§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether benefit officers are still instructed, when deciding between the higher and lower rates of additional requirements for heating, to give the claimant the benefit of the doubt in borderline cases.
§ Mr. NewtonYes. This guidance is presently contained in the "S" manual which we intend to publish about the middle of the year. The memorandum of guidance, published recently by the Chief Supplementary Benefit Officer, on entitlement to additional requirements did not include this because it is to be read by benefit officers in conjunction with the existing guidance in the "S" manual.