§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take about demands by moneylenders, as reported by the Director General of Fair Trading, for the surrender to them of child benefit books as security for loans; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonIt is an offence under section 23 of the Supplementary Benefit Act 1976 to hold a child benefit order book as a pledge or as security for a debt. Moneylenders holding order books in these circumstances are prosecuted.