SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT CLAIMS AND CHILDREN'S SAVINGS

HL Deb 01 August 1984 vol 455 cc867-8WA

Baroness Jeger

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In what circumstances DHSS officials are entitled to inspect children's money boxes when assessing claims for parental assistance, and by what legislation such inspections are authorised.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Glenarthur)

Claimants for supplementary benefit are asked to declare details of any savings they, their partners or their children may have. While Regulation 4 of the Supplementary Benefit (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1981 SI 1525 empowers the Secretary of State to require claimants to furnish such certificates, documents, information or evidence as may be required for the purpose of determining claims for benefit, there is no question of local officers being asked to inspect children's money boxes.