HC Deb 01 July 1986 vol 100 cc490-1W
17. Mr. Haynes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish new limits for payments for board and lodging.

Mr. Newton

I refer the hon. Member to my statement on 18 June at column 1056.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) which of his Department's local offices attending seminars on board and lodging in the autumn of 1985 had no commercial establishments in their area known to be within the board and lodging limits;

(2) which of his Department's local offices attending seminars in the autumn of 1985 on board and lodging reported that they were not aware of any landlords in their area who had reduced their charges.

Mr. Newton

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services from which 26 local offices the social security policy inspectorate drew its sample of ordinary board and lodging when examining the effects of the board and lodging regulations.

Mr. Newton

The following local offices were visited by the social security policy inspectorate during the course of the ordinary board inquiryAberdeen (North), Aberdeen (South), Anglesey, Barrow-in-Furness, Birmingham (Ravenhurst), Birmingham (Sparkhill), Bristol (West), Buxton, Cheltenham, Chesterfield, Coventry (East), Crystal Palace, Dumfries, Gravesend, High Wycombe, Hull (East), Irvine, Leeds (North), Leeds (South), Manchester (Failsworth), Manchester (Openshaw), Nuneaton, Port Talbot, Romford, Shrewsbury, Weymouth.

20. Mr. Chope

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will seek to introduce a voucher system for the direct payment of supplementary benefit for board and lodging accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

Vouchers or other means of direct payment to landlords are already used in certain cases where the claimant has proved himself unable to manage his own money or, at the start of a claim, where it is necessary to secure the accommodation. We have no present plans to extend these provisions.