§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why washing machines are not classed as items for reimbursement under regulation 9(a)(i) of the Single Payment Regulations (S.I., 1981, No. 1528); if he will consider so including them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyA single payment of supplementary benefit for a washing machine may be made under regulation 9 (i) of the Supplementary Benefit (Single Payments) Regulations 1981 to a claimant who would have been entitled to a weekly addition to benefit for laundry costs but for the fact that there is no laundry or launderette in the area which the claimant's family can reasonably be expected to use; or, if there is one, the claimant or his partner cannot use it because of illness, disability or lack of public transport.