§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the numbers and value of single payments paid by his Department's Brighton office for the most recent five years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. PortilloThe numbers and value of single payments made by the Department's Brighton local office are not available for any period before 10 May 1983. Figures for the period from then until 20 October 1987 are given in the following table :
Single payments made by Department of Health and Social Security Brighton local office—10 May 1983 to 20 October 1987 Period Number of payments Amount (£) 10 May 1983 to 10 April 1984 3,643 237,771 11 April 1984 to 9 April 1985 4,901 366,497 10 April 1985 to 8 April 1986 7,771 515,248 9 April 1986 to 7 April 1987 9,004 739,080 8 April 1987 to 20 October 1987 4,316 438,875
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what method will be used to establish priorities for the social fund administered by his Department's Brighton office for the first year of operation.
§ Mr. PortilloThis is a matter for the office's social fund officers to determine in the light of the guidance and directions. A copy of the social fund manual which sets out the guidance and directions is in the Library.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his best estimate of the number of loans and grants which will be made from the social fund by his Department's Brighton office during the first year of operation.
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§ Mr. PortilloThe number of payments that will be made from the loans and grants budgets will depend upon the size of individual payments. This will be determined by the amounts applied for, and the decisions of individual social fund officers in accordance with the law and directions and in the light of the guidance. No firm estimates can therefore he given until the new scheme is in operation.